480Interventions in the House of Commons | Newfoundland and Labrador | Witness / Appearance
Latest interventions based on the following criterias: | Newfoundland and Labrador | Witness / Appearance?Item=&ParlSes=43-1&Topic=&Proc=&com=&Per=&Prov=NLONPE&Cauc=&PartType=W&Text=&RPP=15&order=&targetLang=&SBS=0&MRR=150000&Page=1&PubType=
en-CACopyright 2014 House of Commons107819052020-06-02T14:39:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - COVI-15 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - COVI-15 - Hon. Lawrence MacAulay (2020-06-02 14:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10781905
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MacAulayLawrence_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Lawrence MacAulay</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Cardigan, Prince Edward Island</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/33<p style=""> I am sorry, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, I thank my honourable colleague for the question and for giving me the opportunity to respond to the Parliament of Canada from my home in Midgell. </p><p style="">As I indicated earlier in the House of Commons, I can assure the member that one of my major priorities is to make sure that we deal with the backlog and that the veterans of Canada receive the benefits they truly deserve and need.</p></div>107809562020-06-02T11:07:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10780956
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Thank you, Madam Chair, for your invitation to appear before the committee as it embarks on the second phase of its study of parliamentary duties and the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p style="">The committee's order of reference asks that it look at what changes might be needed to enable the House to meet during this pandemic. It encourages the committee to adopt a gradual approach, beginning with hybrid sittings, and asks the committee to consider the issue of remote voting. </p><p style=""> As I noted in previous appearances, through collaboration among the parties, the House has already adapted many of its usual practices in response to the current circumstances. For example, it has met with a reduced number of members physically present and suspended the application of certain rules to allow for sufficient distancing. It has authorized standing committees to meet virtually and has created a special committee, composed of members of the House, that has met in person virtually, and as of last week, in a combination of the two in a hybrid format. All of this took place with minimal adaptation of the Standing Orders.</p><p style="">In addition, over the past several weeks, the House administration has assessed our technical readiness for hybrid or virtual sittings of the House and their procedural implications. Last month I shared with you, Madam Chair, the committee and the House leaders, two documents showing how the House administration is ready to support such sittings. The solution has been developed in keeping with the guiding principles that I outlined during my appearance before the committee on April 21.</p><p style="">I am pleased to report that many of the technical issues around accessibility, connectivity, user-friendliness, security, sound and visual quality and real-time interpretation have been resolved. The success of virtual and hybrid meetings of committees, including the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic, which reproduces some aspects of the chamber proceedings, has demonstrated that it is possible to conduct deliberative functions in this setting. Therefore, the focus of my comments today will be on the procedural implications of virtual sittings and on the decision-making process.</p><p style="">As I noted in my appearance before the committee on May 4, many of the House procedures and practices could be adapted to accommodate virtual hybrid sittings. For example, a general provision could be added to the Standing Orders to allow the Speaker, in case of emergency and following consultations with House leaders of all recognized parties, to adjust the application of any standing order or practice to permit the virtual participation of members. This would be similar to Standing Order 1.1, which allows for the participation of members with disabilities. Such a general provision would provide flexibility as technologies change. It would also limit the need to change the many references in the Standing Orders that suggest the physical presence of members.</p><p style="">If the House were to decide to take this approach, the Speaker would make a statement outlining the emergency and how they propose to apply the rules. </p><p style="">An analysis of our procedures and practices has identified four key areas that, in my view, could be adjusted through this general provision. These areas are described in the information note provided to the committee on May 13. These areas are the presence of members, the transmission of documents, the manner of participating in proceedings, and decision-making. </p><p style=""> First, with respect to the presence of members and in keeping with the exclusive right of the House to regulate its internal affairs, the House could indicate that it considers that those who are participating by video conference in a sitting of the House or a meeting of a committee count for the purpose of quorum. This would entitle all connected members to fully participate in the deliberations of the House committee.</p><p style="">With regard to the second point, although the tradition is for paper copies of documents to be tabled or presented to the House, it could be determined that documents transmitted electronically are equally valid. Again, the House has already begun to take steps in this direction, having decided in 2019 to accept electronic responses to petitions and more recently to allow petitions, committee reports and other documents to be filed electronically with the clerk during the pandemic.</p><p style="">In terms of how members participate in the sittings of the House, certain adjustments would have to be made in order to ensure that opportunities for members to intervene are effectively maintained while keeping order and decorum. In recognizing members to participate in different categories of business, the chair is already assisted by lists submitted in advance by the parties, although members are still expected to rise in their place to be recognized when their turns come.</p><p style="">In a virtual or hybrid setting, the chair would continue to use these lists without relying only on a physical signal from each member wanting to intervene. For impromptu moments, such as questions and comments, we could make use of features built into the video conferencing system, such as the “raise hand” function. If members participating virtually intend to move motions for which notice is not required, they could be asked to transmit the text to the table in advance, a practice that is already occurring.</p><p style="">The chair would continue to have the responsibility to preserve order and decorum, ensuring, for example, that members do not use displays or props in the camera shots and that members keep their microphones off until they are recognized by the chair. However, the committee may wish to consider whether additional guidelines could assist members and the chair in preserving decorum and dignity in the House.</p><p style="">The way that the House makes its decisions is perhaps the most complex issue to consider. The chair would have to proceed very carefully when putting questions to the House for a voice vote or when asking for unanimous consent so as to ensure that the will of all members is properly understood.</p><p style="">With regard to electronic voting in the context of recorded divisions, should the House decide to implement a system to allow members to vote remotely, a number of principles must be kept in mind. The most important principle is the integrity of the voting process. Members will want to feel confident that the system is secure and failsafe and that they're the only people voting.</p><p style=""> I understand that our technical team has developed a conceptual solution for electronic voting that uses our existing toolsets and security platforms. It could be adapted to any requirements that the House might have.</p><p style="">The system should allow members to know when they are voting, what they are voting on and how much time they have to vote. It must meet accessibility standards and display text in both official languages. Finally, it should allow results to be given to the chair quickly and accurately. Such a system could provide secure notifications to members whenever a recorded division is to be held, inviting them to vote using a House-managed device. Since members will be able to read the text of the motion in an application, it might not be necessary to ensure that members were connected to the virtual meeting to hear the Speaker reading the question.</p><p style=""> Members could vote at any point during the 15- or 30-minute period while the bells are ringing.</p><p style=""> If the House were to adopt a hybrid model where some members are present in the chamber and others are participating virtually, it will have to consider whether all members should vote using the same method, so as to ensure that all members are treated equally. </p><p style="">These are but a few of the details and options that the committee may want to consider regarding the issue of remote electronic voting. Similarly, should it be the will of the House, I know that our procedural and digital services experts stand ready to assist in making the necessary adjustments to our practices to accommodate remote voting and virtual participation in proceedings. </p><p style=""> My officials and I would be pleased to answer any questions that you may have on this topic.</p><p style=""> Thank you for having me this morning.</p></div>107809612020-06-02T11:20:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10780961
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">One of the biggest things for security is making sure that the person who is there is the one voting and ensuring, if we do have a vote, that this takes place. I could go into more detail on that, but I believe that's probably something you'll do more in camera, as it's more on the technical end of things. That is probably the biggest thing. We need to making sure, as far as security goes, that those participating feel comfortable with what's going on.</p><p style="">One thing we have implemented, which will be put forward, is a 10-second delay. There's been some concern about it. Some say it's there for muting or censoring what MPs are saying. That is not what it's for. The 10-second delay is there in case somebody penetrates the security system or security wall and puts something on the screen that is not appropriate or makes statements. That 10-second delay would allow us to block and stop this and allow the member to continue after. That would probably be one of the bigger ones.</p><p style="">Mr. Nater, security kind of covers a large area, so is there any particular area in security that you are concerned about that maybe I can zero in on?</p></div>107809632020-06-02T11:22:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10780963
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Staff have worked on many different variations and different possibilities. Ultimately it comes down to what the House is comfortable with, so the House has to make the decision on what it would like to see as far as voting goes. There are so many possibilities. Whether it's voting one at a time or whether it's on a screen and you toggle “yea” or “nay”, it really comes down to what the House is going to be comfortable with and what it will allow to happen.</p><p style="">My concerns originally were with security and voting. I'm very comfortable with a lot of the public voting, based on what I've seen to date and what has been done in other parliaments. As far as a secret ballot goes, I'm still not 100% there, but as far as public voting goes, because it is public and you can verify how you've voted, at this point I'm very comfortable with the technology that has been presented.</p></div>107809652020-06-02T11:23:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10780965
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Whatever the House decides on could be an option, and that is definitely one of them. Certainly, as I said, it could be the roll call where you have the face showing up—you know it's them, and they're speaking—or where they're at their screen and they push a button “yea” or “nay”. There might even be some biometric or some code that has to be put in to verify the person. </p><p style="">Again, depending on what the House decides, yes, that is an option.</p></div>107809672020-06-02T11:24:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10780967
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I believe so. </p><p style="">Yes, there has. I just checked with the Clerk, and yes, there has. </p><p style="">I know we've collaborated with a lot of different countries around the world to see what they have been doing. There seems to be a lot of co-operation and collaboration going on when it comes to both video conferencing and procedures. </p></div>107809722020-06-02T11:27:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10780972
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The staff here and in IT and in the Clerk's office worked very closely with all the MPs to make sure that everything could work. Connectivity was especially a problem in rural and remote areas. It's important that we look at this in light of, for instance, someone who has to come in to Parliament. If they come in and there's a snowstorm, or something causes a problem, it's up to them to get to Parliament to make sure they can vote. Similarly, if you're in a rural area, or you're at home and your connectivity is not that great, you can go to your office or you can go find a place where you can connect. </p><p style="">I can see that Ms. Blaney, for example, is probably in her office. I know that she has some issues. She is a prime example of how we can make it work. </p><p style="">Connectivity was one of the issues we were concerned about, but it certainly put broadband access on the front burner for all Canadians in both rural and metropolitan city areas. When we're looking at connectivity, I think we've pretty well come to the end of it. There are a couple of small exceptions where it could be a little bit of a difficulty, but overall it's been working out very well. </p><p style="">Our ambassadors have been working with everyone. Again, I notice that pretty well everyone has one of these headsets on, which makes a difference. It makes it easier for everyone to hear what you're saying, because we're getting a clear voice coming across. We found that with other microphones, there was an echo, because it was echoing throughout the chamber. No matter how good your microphone is, there is still that bit of a problem, and one that especially affects the interpreters. </p><p style="">I don't believe connectivity is a large issue, overall. Occasionally we get some glitches, but overall, connectivity is very good. </p></div>107809742020-06-02T11:29:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10780974
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> Yes, if they're willing to.... It is possible. It is there for everyone.</p></div>107809762020-06-02T11:30:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10780976
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, our Clerk and his staff have gone through the Standing Orders and they have a list of changes that would have to be made to make them work. There's nothing major. The other option would be to pass one standing order that would make the modifications that would allow the Speaker to make those changes.</p><p style="">Again, it comes back to the House to determine how they would like to handle it. I would recommend that when the Clerk comes back on, you could go through that. I could go on for the full hour just about the details and the small changes, but again, there would be small changes along the way to all of the Standing Orders or to many of the Standing Orders, but not a major change.</p><p style="">Basically, when we're in a hybrid situation, it's business as usual. The difference is just in location. </p></div>107809792020-06-02T11:31:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10780979
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes. I feel comfortable that it would go on, and if you would allow me, I'd like to answer in a little bit more detail about what Mr. Nater referred to as the U.K. model, in which they have certain numbers of people and they're starting to rethink their hybrid model. </p><p style="">When you look at the Canadian model we worked on, all 338 MPs have access, can speak, and can vote—or could vote, let's say—whereas under the British model there are 650 MPs but only a limited number would be allowed in the House and limited numbers would be allowed to participate electronically.</p><p style="">I would have serious reservations if we were to go with some model like that. With the model we've developed here, everyone, all MPs, can participate in a virtual hybrid sitting.</p></div>107809832020-06-02T11:33:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10780983
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">According to the study conducted so far, the technology is in place. The technology isn't an issue. However, the House must decide what it wants to do.</p></div>107809852020-06-02T11:33:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10780985
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The House must make decisions about everything that happens in the House. If the House were to decide tomorrow to allow the votes, it would be possible.</p></div>107809872020-06-02T11:33:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10780987
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Exactly.</p></div>107809892020-06-02T11:34:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10780989
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The software exists. When there's a vote, a notification is sent to all members. Mr. Aubé could talk about this in more detail when the committee meets in camera later, unless he wants to talk about it now. The notification will be sent to all members and they'll be able to vote, from what I've seen. However, the House must decide how this will work.</p><p style="">Right now, a bell rings to summon the members. Instead, the software would send a signal to the members, who would have 15, 20 or 30 minutes to vote. They would vote while the bell is ringing, whereas now they vote when they return to the House. Of course, this scenario applies to electronic voting. For a recorded division, the scenario would be a little different. The House must decide which approach it feels comfortable with.</p></div>107809932020-06-02T11:38:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10780993
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The House must decide what it wants to do. These details will be established based on the recommendations of this committee. When the recommendations will be made to the House, the House must make a decision on the parameters. The Speaker and the administration must implement the House's decisions to ensure that the House runs properly.</p></div>107809952020-06-02T11:38:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10780995
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I can—</p></div>107809982020-06-02T11:40:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10780998
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Most definitely. I have spoken with the Clerk and his staff. They have gone through it and gone through the different standing orders. They do have a list and some suggestions for the committee on what could be changed and how we could do it.</p><p style="">Very basically, we continue business as usual but done a little bit differently. It's making sure that how we do it a bit differently in a virtual manner, in a hybrid manner, is acceptable to all the parties and, more importantly, to all the members. We do not want to infringe on anyone's privilege.</p><p style="">The incremental approach is something we've been slowly doing, because we've added a little bit more and a little bit more as we've gone along. Again, it will be up to the committee what they want to recommend and up to the House on how quickly they want to make that incremental increase of use of whatever changes they want. Any change will be incremental, and that's basically what it comes down to, I would think. Again, this is something that the House has to decide as a whole, and they will adopt it as they see fit.</p></div>107810002020-06-02T11:43:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10781000
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> We can get you some statistics on that, but overall it's been very good. Once someone is connected, we do get the odd one who misses out; but if someone gets knocked off, say, during something crucial like a vote or during discussion, the process of getting back on usually works out fairly well. That's something they'll have to work out among themselves and make sure.</p><p style="">The important thing is that the individual members get to the best possible locations. I know that you, Ms. Blaney, have a rural portion to your riding, as do I, so I understand cellphones not working or dead spots and I understand what no Internet connectivity is all about. Overall, the votes are usually brought forward in a way that people would have a good idea when they would be happening. It's making sure they are in a place where they will have connectivity. It is a lot like, say, if members are coming to the House to vote and there's a snowstorm and they can't make that last mile or can't come in. It's very similar to being in a place where they can't get connected. That's something to consider. Again, we would have to look at different cases or different possibilities for that happening.</p></div>107810062020-06-02T11:47:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10781006
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, that's something that has come up and it's something to consider and it will be up to the House to decide what it would like to do with that. </p><p style="">When we look at it, we see that in a hybrid system members can call a point of order or call for attention to raise a point. It can be done by voice, so they unmute and state a point of order or state that they have something to say. The other way is if they want to stand to speak on a topic, there are applications where they can raise their hand and it does appear on a list for the sitting Speaker, which I believe would be probably just as good—I won't say better, but it's there and it's on a list and it's in your face. </p><p style="">I know in the House, when you're sitting, your peripheral view sometimes is not as good as your direct view. By having the list, everyone who raises her or his hand is on that list or is basically visible to everyone. This is opposed to being in the House where there are people sitting on the side who might be missed when they rise to speak. There are pros and cons to both ways of doing it.</p></div>107810082020-06-02T11:49:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10781008
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Most definitely. That is a key part of being a member of Parliament. </p></div>107810102020-06-02T11:50:26-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10781010
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Everything is possible. It depends on what members decide on and different possibilities. It really does depend on the House.</p><p style=""> When we talk about presence in the House, a lot of the time when debate is happening, the House is not full; it's mainly during question period or when votes take place. One of the things that concerns me about saying “okay, you're only allowed 40” is parliamentary privilege, which you brought up earlier. Who determines who that 40 is?</p><p style=""> When I send out an invitation or a recall of the House, it is to everyone. It's not up to the Speaker or any rules to determine who doesn't show up or who can or can't show up. That would be one of my main concerns.</p></div>107810132020-06-02T11:51:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10781013
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I've instructed our Clerk and the administration to co-operate fully with PROC. Whatever you need, I'm sure they'll be able to work with you and make it available. </p></div>107810152020-06-02T11:52:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10781015
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Okay. We start off with ministerial statements. Then we go to petitions. Then we have declarations and then statements to ministers. We have taken four steps. Again, it's incremental. We started with three, originally, and now we've added some. Depending on what the House decides, we could extend it even further. </p></div>107810172020-06-02T11:52:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10781017
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">There are seven committees.... It's nine. We're up to nine now.</p><p style="">I'm sorry. We have tabling of documents as well. That has been added recently to the House sitting.</p><p style=""> There are nine committees that are sitting virtually. It seems to be working fairly well, as is this one. </p></div>107810192020-06-02T11:53:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10781019
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I'll have to defer to the Clerk. We don't have an exact number right now.</p></div>107810212020-06-02T11:53:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10781021
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">We'll make sure that comes to the committee with the information right away, yes. </p></div>107810232020-06-02T11:53:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10781023
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Okay. What I'm saying is that we're technically ready for virtual voting and in a hybrid situation. The technology is in place. It has been tested in other places. After seeing what is there, it really comes down to the comfort level that individuals are ready to live with.</p><p style="">I know that with what I've seen so far I don't see a problem with a public vote or an open vote. If on division people are making their voices heard, then you can check what has been registered. I still have certain reservations about a secret ballot, because once it's in there, if something is tampered with, there is no way of checking it, whereas on a vote that's open, you can check on it right away and confirm that it is what you voted—</p></div>107810252020-06-02T11:54:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10781025
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Do you mean in which countries?</p></div>107810272020-06-02T11:55:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10781027
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">They've tested it in the U.K. It seems to have gone well.</p></div>107810292020-06-02T11:55:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10781029
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, all access with accessibility is there. If anything has to be done, whether a member needs special adaptations.... Let's say they have a visual impairment, or anything else that is in the way. It can be adapted. Basically, it's going on the standing order, which allows the Speaker to accommodate for anyone with a disability, whether it's a wheelchair or whether it's visual. You can adapt to make sure that accessibility is there for everyone.</p></div>107810332020-06-02T11:58:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 11:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10781033
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Parliamentary privilege is the biggest issue that I feel we have to consider, to make sure there is no one blocking someone from making a statement, or from saying what they have to say, or from acting on what they want to get forward. One thing about privilege, when you look at the description, is that it has to be intentional blockage. If somebody is out there trying to sabotage another member, and it's done intentionally, that's where a question of privilege comes up. That's what we have to look for.</p><p style="">As far as muting a mike goes, one of the things that happen in the House, as you mentioned, is that when the Speaker stands, the microphones all go dead, which is the same as muting everyone. I don't see it being any different. </p><p style="">Mr. Todd Doherty: But it is.</p><p style="">Hon. Anthony Rota: I would like to say that muting the microphone is an option for the chair of the committee, or the Speaker for that matter. One other thing—and I'll let you in on a little secret—is that the minute it gets muted, the member can just unmute it and keep going and be disruptive. Now, I'm hoping this doesn't become the practice in our future meetings, but it is a possibility. It's not like you're muted indefinitely; it's just muted for a short term. It's something that hasn't had to be used up until now. What's happened is that, when it's been brought up, most members recognize that the point has been made and continue from there.</p></div>107810352020-06-02T12:00:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10781035
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I guess I owe you an apology; I didn't explain enough exactly what raising your hand means. You push the button and your hand goes up, which shows up on a list, so electronically, you're front and centre. As far as raising your hand—</p></div>107810372020-06-02T12:01:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10781037
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">No, the sidebar has a list of all the people. It's not the thumbnails we're talking about. A list shows up with a hand that's up. It's basically an electronic hand, it's not the physical hand of the member. </p></div>107810402020-06-02T12:02:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10781040
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That's the way it works in the House. Basically, the same orders that apply in the House would apply.</p></div>107810422020-06-02T12:03:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10781042
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes.</p></div>107810442020-06-02T12:04:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10781044
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes.</p></div>107810462020-06-02T12:04:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10781046
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Most definitely.</p><p style="">Our IT ambassadors have been working with individual MPs to ensure they have what it takes to connect. It's pretty well there with everyone. I believe there are two MPs who have had difficulty, but arrangements have been made so they can connect and take part. I feel confident that it's there. </p><p style="">Again, whether you live 197 kilometres away or 2,500 kilometres away, it's up to MPs to get to the House any way they can. If there's a snowstorm, or whatever happens, that's an issue they have to deal with individually. It's the same thing with connectivity. I would expect them to either go to their offices or see what would be the best method for them to connect to the Internet.</p></div>107810482020-06-02T12:06:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10781048
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">You're dealing with policy that I think would be more on a political level than on a procedural level, but in principle, I will say yes. </p></div>107810512020-06-02T12:06:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10781051
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The number of MPs is probably the key to what we have. I think the closest we can come to is the U.K., but they've done things a little differently and I'm not sure they are quite there. With what we have, when you look at smaller jurisdictions, they've actually gotten to that point where they can have a vote. Again, when you have a smaller number in the chamber, it's a lot easier; 338 is not an easy number to deal with, but with what I've seen so far, it is not unmanageable and it's not impossible. </p></div>107810542020-06-02T12:08:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10781054
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">When changes are proposed in the House, the members must decide what they want to implement. If they decide that they don't want the system, no one can force them. Personally, I wouldn't want to force this. The House must decide what it wants.</p></div>107810562020-06-02T12:08:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10781056
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">An amendment to the Standing Orders requires a majority vote. So the majority makes the decision.</p></div>107810582020-06-02T12:09:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10781058
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Again, the House must make this decision. Neither the Speaker nor the administration can make this decision. For example, if the committee's report states that things should be done this way and the report is tabled in the House, the House must decide by majority vote how to proceed.</p></div>107810602020-06-02T12:10:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10781060
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">If the House decides on this rule, it wouldn't be an issue. Again, the House must make a decision. If the House agrees, then it will be acceptable.</p></div>107810642020-06-02T12:11:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10781064
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> The secret ballot happens under two circumstances, if I'm not mistaken. I'm looking to the Clerk for confirmation. Yes. One is, of course, for the election of the Speaker, and the other one is for private members' business.</p><p style="">I'll hand it over to Mr. Gagnon, who will be able to answer that much better than I will, because it happens so rarely. It's only happened once to me while I've been here, since 2004, with a slight interruption in 2011.</p><p style="">Mr. Gagnon.</p></div>107810662020-06-02T12:12:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10781066
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes. If you look at all the work that's been done to date, it's basically been done with the view of seeing about what we can add next and what is comfortable as well as what is feasible. Doing something that's feasible but we're not comfortable with is not something that we want to rush into, because you want to make sure that members of Parliament are able to do their jobs in a way that they are not threatened.</p><p style="">Those are the two main areas, but yes, we are progressing gradually, and we are open to pretty well everything that's out there that's happening in the House. When we did our hybrid test, we tried so many different things, everything from voting to bringing up a point of order, and it was all handled very well.</p></div>107810682020-06-02T12:13:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:13)?PubType=40017&Item=10781068
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I have to refresh my memory. It's been a while.</p><p style=""> We did the voice vote, yeas and nays, so no, we did not do the actual voice vote. If we do bring it back, I would expect that we would have whatever model is suggested. It would have to go through a test run to make sure that it works well and that it is something that would be secure and something that we can trust.</p></div>107810722020-06-02T12:16:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - 2020-06-02Committee Evidence - PROC-19 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-06-02 12:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10781072
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Thank you, Madam Chair. It's a pleasure, as always, to be here with you and the committee, and I'm looking forward to the report. </p><p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107771132020-05-28T17:21:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:21)?PubType=40017&Item=10777113
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">Good evening, everyone. </p><p style="">I'd like to start by thanking you, the members of this committee, for your tireless work during this crisis. I also want to thank you for inviting me to speak to you today, and I thank the officials for joining us.</p><p style="">As we all know, COVID-19 still poses a significant threat to public health. It has also turned people's lives, their jobs, their businesses and our economy upside down.</p><p style="">To help Canadians through this difficult time, our government has been taking quick and decisive action. We have been offering support directly to workers and to businesses to protect jobs and support our economy. We continue to listen to workers and businesses to ensure that the emergency programs respond to the needs of Canadians.</p><p style="">Over the past two and a half months, we have consulted extensively with stakeholders and parliamentarians, some of whom are in this room. We have held town halls. We have spoken directly to Canadians. I have personally attended over 18 round tables and town halls to get a true understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted our country. These engagements have spanned the country, from Moncton and Windsor to Regina and Kelowna, just to name a few. I have spoken with diverse cultural organizations and key economic stakeholders. Just yesterday I heard from youth on how this crisis has impacted their lives. We have listened to community and business leaders, workers and employers. </p><p style="">The feedback we have heard on the ground has played an important role in shaping our response to this crisis. We have had an open-door policy and have continually updated programs and measures to reflect the realities faced by families and businesses alike.</p><p style="">The historic support measures we have implemented have been designed, developed and delivered directly to Canadians in record time, thanks to public servants who have been working around the clock. I can proudly say that Canada has one of the most comprehensive plans in the G7.</p><p style="">The government rapidly implemented sweeping measures to provide Canadians with over $150 billion in direct financial support to attenuate the impact of the crisis on the economy. That support will give our economy a leg up during the post-crisis recovery phase.</p><p style="">We brought in measures that help workers and businesses in all sectors of the economy, as well as employers of all sizes. We are helping students, who have to pay tuition, and parents, who are working hard to balance the demands of work and family in the context of COVID-19. We are making sure nobody gets left behind. All across the country, the Canada emergency response benefit, the CERB, is providing temporary income support to Canadians who have stopped working because of COVID-19. Over 8.2 million Canadians have applied for the CERB so far.</p><p style="">We are working with the provinces, the territories and indigenous leaders. In fact, to help indigenous communities address the health, social and economic challenges they are facing, last week we announced $75 million in new funding for indigenous organizations providing services to indigenous individuals in urban centres and off reserve. This new money brings the total indigenous community support fund investment to $380 million.</p><p style=""> The Canada emergency wage subsidy, CEWS, will allow eligible Canadian employers who have been affected by COVID-19 to receive a subsidy of 75% of employee wages. This wage subsidy will enable an employer to rehire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, help prevent further job losses, and better position them to resume normal operations following the crisis. To date, this program has already supported over two million Canadian workers, maintained their paycheques and maintained their relationship with their employer. We continue to listen to Canadians and take their input on ways to improve our emergency measures.</p><p style="">We understand that families are struggling with added costs as well, and many parents are now trying to balance work and caring for their children, all from home. That is why, last week, families will have received a one-time special CCB payment of an additional $300 per child, delivering almost $2 billion in extra support across the country to help families during this challenging period.</p><p style="">We know that the pandemic has brought extra costs for low- and modest-income Canadians, too. They need some support as well. As one of our first measures, we announced a GST credit top-up that was delivered in April and provided financial support to these Canadians, including over four million seniors. Earlier this month, we announced that seniors who receive old age security will automatically receive a tax-free payment of $300, and those who receive the guaranteed income supplement will receive an additional $200 of tax-free support.</p><p style="">To help property owners and businesses that rent from them, we launched the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance for small businesses, with applications opening this past Monday, May 25. This program provides property owners the opportunity to do their part in helping small businesses and their employees succeed in these challenging times. We're all in this together, and that's why the government is stepping up to provide rent relief to businesses while property owners maintain rental income through this crisis.</p><p style="">We have heard from businesses, big and small, that the availability of credit is critically important to ensure they have the ability to continue to grow their businesses once the immediate health emergency has passed. This includes the business credit availability program that is available to mid-sized companies with larger financing needs.</p><p style="">Support for mid-market businesses will include loans of up to $60 million per company and guarantees of up to $80 million. Through the BCAP, Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada will work with private sector lenders to support access to capital for Canadian businesses in all sectors and regions.</p><p style="">We have taken steps to help small businesses that require support to help pay their fixed costs. The Canada emergency business account has helped hundreds of thousands of businesses through a partially forgivable loan. We heard from businesses that there were those that originally could not qualify and we took the necessary steps to expand eligibility to help those in need.</p><p style="">We also expanded the eligibility criteria for the Canada emergency business account to include many owner-operated small businesses. Expanding the scope of this measure will help small businesses protect the jobs that Canadians depend on. Changes to the Canada emergency business account mean more Canadian small businesses can get interest-free loans, which they can use to cover their operating costs while revenues are down because of the pandemic. In response to feedback we've received from across the country, we're now making the Canada emergency business account available to more businesses. </p><p style="">If I may, I would also like to talk about the large employer emergency financing facility, which was announced just recently. This program supports Canada's largest employers.</p></div>107771152020-05-28T17:31:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10777115
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">I'm almost done my opening remarks.</p><p style="">The measure I was talking about is designed to protect jobs in Canada, to help Canadian businesses overcome economic challenges now and, above all, to do whatever we can to prevent businesses that would have been viable if not for the pandemic from going bankrupt.</p><p style=""> We have invested in institutions critical to fight against COVID-19, and we have also announced $450 million to help researchers and research institutions to bridge to better times. I can share with members of the committee where this program is going to. We also invested in the launch of the fish harvester benefit, a program worth up to $267.6 million, to help provide income support for this year's fishing seasons to eligible self-employed fish harvesters and sharespersons crew who cannot access the Canada emergency wage subsidy.</p><p style="">Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have focused on supporting Canadians and Canadian businesses. We will keep doing whatever it takes during the crisis to help Canadians and our economy weather the storm and emerge even stronger.</p><p style="">Thank you for your attention. I'm ready to answer questions.</p></div>107771182020-05-28T17:33:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10777118
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style=""> First of all, our government has taken swift and immediate action to support Canadian businesses through this challenging time. I want to add that the BCAP is providing critically important liquidity to small and medium-sized businesses to help them cover their operational costs.</p></div>107771202020-05-28T17:34:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10777120
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">We know that this program is an enormous team effort done in partnership with over 100 financial institutions. Money from this program is flowing, and businesses across the country are receiving the important support they need. These are large loans that require important due diligence and adjudication by financial institutions. Additionally, there's—</p></div>107771232020-05-28T17:35:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10777123
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">What we can say is that applications have been received, and liquidity support is already flowing to businesses in need. Additionally, we know that there is often a delay between a financial institution's approving a business and reporting through BDC and EDC, so we will continue to be open and transparent as full and accurate information becomes available, MP Kelly.</p></div>107771252020-05-28T17:36:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10777125
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Currently, we still have our AAA credit, and we will continue to make sure that we have a strong economy to keep that AAA credit.</p></div>107771272020-05-28T17:36:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10777127
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">As we know, since the beginning of this crisis, we have prioritized families, Canadians and businesses, and we are making sure that they can go through and weather this storm with all of the programs we have presented. Again, as in the report today, as you know, we have increased participation for those programs, and we will continue to make sure that we support Canadians and businesses during this crisis.</p></div>107771292020-05-28T17:37:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10777129
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">We don't think any Canadian should have to worry about paying the bills or higher daycare costs or putting food on the table because of the crisis. We know that Canada's financial situation is solid and that the country is prepared to meet the challenges of COVID-19. We are determined to keep supporting families, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to help them. </p></div>107771312020-05-28T17:38:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10777131
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">We thank the PBO for his work on behalf of parliamentarians and all Canadians. Given the truly unprecedented events of the past few weeks, a very high degree of uncertainty surrounds any economic or fiscal forecast presented at this time.</p></div>107771342020-05-28T17:39:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10777134
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you for the question. </p><p style="">These loans are very important to businesses. We know there is significant demand. Applications have been received, and we have offered financial assistance to businesses that need it. We will continue to be open and transparent and to communicate complete and accurate information as it becomes available.</p></div>107771372020-05-28T17:41:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10777137
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style=""> First, thank you for your representation. I know we've been talking since the beginning to better understand the realities of northern communities and also making sure that we understand the needs of the communities.</p><p style="">Since the beginning of this crisis, our government has made investments of $305 million for the distinctions-based indigenous community support fund to help address the immediate needs in first nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Also, we've invested $75 million for indigenous organizations providing services to indigenous peoples living in urban centres and also off reserve, which support more community-based projects that address the critical needs of indigenous populations. </p><p style="">We've also provided programs like the wage subsidy where we believe that the opportunity will be taken to bring.... Because of the recent changes that our government business supports have made, indigenous-led businesses are now eligible for the 75% wage subsidy. </p><p style="">These are tools that will help to make sure the communities stay strong and that the businesses will be able to stand strong and continue after this part of the pandemic. The idea with the economic emergency response is to make sure that businesses still have their employees so that when we start recovery we'll be in a better position.</p></div>107771392020-05-28T17:43:36-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10777139
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Currently we're still providing emergency supports to businesses, Canadians, to weather this crisis and make sure we continue to flatten the curve. I know that in northern communities it's a good story for now, but we can't let that go. We have to make sure we are in the best position possible when we start recovery. </p><p style="">I believe that at this time we are concentrating on making sure we support all Canadians, businesses and workers, and when due time comes and we have better certainty of what will be the next steps, we will be able to bring different options to make sure that we support northern communities.</p></div>107771432020-05-28T17:45:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10777143
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you so much for your question.</p><p style="">From the start, the government made it a priority to set up the Canada emergency response benefit to help Canadians and, of course, Quebeckers, put food on the table. A few weeks later, we also made an additional $1,000 available to make sure that people who were still working a little could continue to do so.</p><p style="">That was the government's response. We believe that our Canada emergency response benefit is helping Quebeckers and Canadians get through this.</p></div>107771452020-05-28T17:47:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10777145
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you for laying that out.</p><p style="">We truly are living in extraordinary times. The government has introduced numerous measures to support businesses and individuals during this unprecedented time. Our guiding principle has been to ensure that no Canadian need worry about paying the bills, paying the rent, or feeding their family. To achieve that, our government committed to supporting not only Quebeckers, but also the health care system and the economy.</p><p style="">Our economic response plan included a suite of measures, including the Canada emergency response benefit, which I mentioned earlier. Individuals who could not work or were sick because of COVID-19 could collect $2,000. Some people were eligible for an additional $1,000. To support employers, we created the emergency wage subsidy, which many people have used. Over two million workers now have access to that subsidy.</p><p style="">We needed to find a way to support Canadians. That's why we created these programs. We will continue to support Canadians.</p></div>107771482020-05-28T17:50:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10777148
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">I thank my colleague for his question.</p><p style="">As I said, the Canada emergency wage subsidy is currently supporting over two million workers across the country. We have also expanded the eligibility criteria. Our government wants more Canadian workers across more sectors to get the support they need.</p><p style="">That's why we extended the emergency wage subsidy by another 12 weeks until August 29. We want to make sure Canadian workers keep getting that support. The extension will afford workers greater peace of mind because they will keep getting the support they need during these difficult times.</p><p style="">We're currently consulting business and union leaders about potential adjustments to the program, including the 30% drop in revenue threshold, to stimulate job creation and growth. These potential changes, which would be made following the consultation, would enable us to maximize employment.</p><p style="">The consultation is online right now, and it would be great if Canadians and businesses participated. </p></div>107771522020-05-28T17:53:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10777152
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you. I hope your family is well, too. My three kids are around here today. They're really impressed with what's happening with our committee.</p><p style="">I just want to say that of course currently we've been providing support for families and individuals to make sure they don't have to worry about putting food on the table, paying their rent or even paying their bills. That is why we provided this Canada emergency response benefit.</p><p style="">This support helps to ensure that Canadians and businesses make it through the crisis and that when it's over they're able to quickly rebound and restart our economy. Our government will continue to do whatever necessary to support workers, businesses and our economy as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p style="">As for your question—</p></div>107771552020-05-28T17:56:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10777155
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Since the beginning, our government has been in close contact with Canada's banks and credit unions in order to coordinate our response to COVID-19. As for the big banks, they have committed to work with their customers on a case-by-case basis to find solutions to help them manage hardships caused by COVID-19. As a first step, this support includes a payment deferral for mortgages for up to six months and a reduction in credit card rates that are impacting customers.</p><p style="">We are continuing to engage with banks and also with all financial institutions, such as credit unions, which are helping us to service many of the programs that we are bringing forward for businesses. We will continue to work with the banks to make sure they provide the necessary supports for those businesses that apply.</p><p style="">I would maybe invite the deputy minister or any of the public servants who might want to add to this on the specifics MP Julian had brought—</p></div>107771572020-05-28T17:58:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 17:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10777157
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you for the question. </p><p style="">Canada's medium and large businesses employ millions of Canadians, and we want to work with them so that they too can get through this crisis and continue to support families across the country.</p><p style="">The principles that guided the creation of this program aimed to support workers. We therefore put in place the necessary conditions to enable businesses to keep their workers.</p><p style="">We will also be very clear: anyone who breaks the law to avoid paying their fair share will face serious consequences.</p><p style="">As I was saying earlier, the funding provided under the large employer emergency financing facility will be subject to a certain number of conditions and such funding will not be offered to businesses convicted of tax evasion. </p><p style="">The Government of Canada will continue to encourage large businesses to take advantage of the emergency financing if they need it. In fact, this is a program of last resort. The original intent of the program is to ensure the protection of workers across the country.</p></div>107771602020-05-28T18:00:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10777160
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">The change in leadership at the CIB signals a new phase in the development of the bank as we work to build modern public infrastructure, create jobs and make Canada more globally competitive, and the bank is conducting....</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, CEO Pierre Lavallée should be thanked for all of his contributions in standing up for this new institution, which is mandated to find innovative new ways—</p></div>107771632020-05-28T18:01:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10777163
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style=""> I can confirm that the compensation range for this CEO is set by the bank and is a matter of public record. Thank you very much.</p></div>107771652020-05-28T18:02:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10777165
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">The change in leadership at the Canada Infrastructure Bank marks a new phase in its development. In answer to your question, I can confirm that the CEO's pay scale is set by the bank and made public.</p></div>107771682020-05-28T18:03:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10777168
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">As we have said since the beginning, we have been listening to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country and we are responding to them. We announced earlier—two weeks ago—an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the CEBA to include many owner-operated small businesses. We will continue to work on potential solutions to help business owners and entrepreneurs who operate through their personal bank accounts or who have yet to file their tax returns, such as newly created businesses. </p><p style="">Thank you very much for sharing that concern that you have.</p></div>107771712020-05-28T18:04:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10777171
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Once again, this program is very important. It involves loans that require due diligence and important adjudication by financial institutions. What we can say is that applications have been received and liquidity support is already flowing to businesses in need. We will continue to be open and transparent by sharing complete and accurate information as it becomes available to us.</p></div>107771762020-05-28T18:06:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10777176
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">Thank you very much for your question and especially for your leadership, not only in your riding but also on the Standing Committee on Finance.</p><p style="">Since the beginning, I have had the privilege of participating in over 18 town halls and speaking with many mayors across the country. I have spoken to representatives of chambers of commerce and business owners. Every time we have started a conversation, it has been to see how we can improve our programs while ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.</p><p style="">For example, during one of my first consultations in western Canada, in Surrey, I was told that the criteria for the Canada emergency business account were a bit too strict. Some businesses were not eligible for it. We therefore made sure that those business owners got access to the program. Today, over 633,000 businesses have received a loan of up to $40,000.</p><p style="">The other point concerns the wage subsidy. Our first proposal involved a subsidy of 10% to support employers. We received a number of suggestions from parliamentarians and Canadians across the country, particularly during my meetings with representatives of chambers of commerce. I was being told that 10% was not enough and that it was not going to help businesses survive this crisis.</p><p style="">The government therefore decided to implement a benefit that would cover 75% of the first $58,700 of an employee's pay. That is a major initiative. We went from 10% to 75%. We listened. Just recently, we decided to expand the program even further. All of that comes from conversations that we have had.</p></div>107771792020-05-28T18:09:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - 2020-05-28Committee Evidence - FINA-32 - Hon. Mona Fortier (2020-05-28 18:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10777179
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/FortierMona_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mona Fortier</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Ottawa—Vanier, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96356<p style="">That's a very important question.</p><p style="">From day one, the government has made health and safety the focus of its decisions. It also worked with the provinces and territories to ensure national coordination. That goes a long way in reducing anxiety. Canadians can see that we are putting their interests first.</p><p style="">The federal government has created a number of benefits, including the one announced last week to help families. Families received an additional $300 per child. Seniors who are receiving old age security will soon be entitled to receive an additional $300 and those who also receive the guaranteed income supplement will receive $200.</p><p style="">We have really listened. We are focusing on Canadians during this unprecedented crisis.</p></div>107691182020-05-22T14:05:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10769118
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair, and to the members of the committee, good afternoon. </p><p style="">Thank you for the opportunity to offer these remarks and to answer your questions about the significant contributions of temporary foreign workers on our farms, at our processing plants, and at all points in Canada's food supply chain. This often-overlooked group of migrant workers has long served to ensure that Canadians may continue to enjoy food that is safe, healthy and affordable. That remains especially true today as we continue to confront COVID-19. Indeed, the work we are doing at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has been a vital lifeline to our food security, health care system and economy as we continue to effectively manage this global pandemic and flatten the curve. </p><p style="">Before I go any further, I first want to express our ongoing gratitude to health care workers, as well as Canadian farmers, food business leaders and workers, both domestic and from abroad, for everything you are doing to keep us healthy and to preserve access to high-quality food at our grocery stores and kitchen tables. We say thank you. </p><p style="">Following the outbreak, my department has played a critically important role in the Government of Canada's response to COVID-19. Today I want to highlight the special measures we have put in place to support temporary foreign workers, farmers and industry leaders to sustain Canada's food security.</p><p style="">Our work in this area is done in close collaboration with federal branches, which are led by my ministerial colleagues at Agriculture and Agri-Food, at Employment and Social Development Canada and at Fisheries and Oceans. </p><p style="">To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the federal government introduced travel restrictions at the border, with targeted exemptions for essential travel, which includes temporary foreign workers. IRCC is principally responsible for the issuance of work permits to temporary foreign workers and the supporting regulatory framework, which is under my purview through the immigration and refugee protection regulations. </p><p style="">Since the beginning of the crisis, the government has prioritized work permit processing for critical occupations, including those in the agriculture and agrifood sectors. </p><p style="">To safeguard the continuity of trade, commerce, health and food security for all Canadians, we have implemented an exemption to our travel restrictions to allow these workers to enter Canada, so that our farms and food processing facilities can continue to provide for Canadians.</p><p style="">Since April, nearly 22,000 temporary foreign workers have arrived in Canada on charter flights to work in our agriculture and food industry.</p><p style="">While we are facilitating the entry of temporary workers into Canada, further supports are required once they arrive, and the government has made progress there, as well.</p><p style="">On April 13, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada announced $50 million to help all food production and processing employers put in place the measures necessary to follow the mandatory 14-day quarantine, required of all workers arriving from abroad.</p><p style=""> We're also making better use of the workers who are already here. We've introduced additional strategies to address status restoration and to reduce timelines for documentation. </p><p style="">On May 12, my department announced a new public policy that cuts the time that it takes for temporary foreign workers to start a new job from 10 weeks or more down to 10 days or less. This will allow temporary workers who are already in Canada with an employer-specific work permit to quickly change jobs when they find a new one. It's a win-win situation.</p><p style="">Our government is working very closely with employers of temporary foreign workers to ensure that the 14-day quarantine period is respected once workers arrive in Canada and that appropriate accommodations and provisions are made available to allow workers to do their important work in planting and seeding. </p><p style="">To help enforce these new requirements across the board, a package of regulations came into force on April 20. Employers have a responsibility for the health of their workers as well as to public health generally. Employer associations continue to work collaboratively with the government to figure out how they can help fulfill both of these objectives. In addition to the measures we're taking in response to the immediate effects of COVID-19, we continue to plan for the future. </p><p style="">Immigration is an enduring value that I believe in and that I trust Canadians believe in too, and we will see that for a long time after COVID-19 is behind us. Just last week, IRCC opened applications under the agri-food pilot program. Over the last several years, industries such as meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, and livestock raising have experienced ongoing challenges in finding and keeping employees. The agri-food pilot aims to attract and retain workers in these industries by providing them with an opportunity to become permanent residents. As we work to reinvigorate our economy after the pandemic, these workers will play an important part in getting Canada back to business.</p><p style="">This is a three-year pilot that will test an approach to help employers in these areas fill ongoing labour needs for full-time, year-round work. It will provide a pathway to permanent residency for many temporary foreign workers already in Canada. A total of 2,750 applications will be accepted annually throughout the pilot, which applies primarily to people who are already here. </p><p style="">The success of our Canadian farmers and food processors depends on their ability to recruit and retain the workforce that they need. This pilot will help to ensure that farmers and processors have the much-needed skills, experience and labour so we can continue to strengthen Canada's food security, grow our economy and improve our living standards for all of Canada.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, temporary foreign workers are of vital importance to our food security and our economy. They are critical to the success of our farms and our hospitals, and this is why we have made the exceptions to the travel restrictions and why we continue to work with our partners provincially and in the sector with farmers, doctors and others to ensure everyone has the support they need. </p><p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members. I'm now happy to take your questions.</p></div>107691212020-05-22T14:14:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10769121
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style=""> First I want to thank you for the question. </p><p style="">I want to echo the concerns we have not only for the farmers but for the officials who are supporting farmers in ensuring that we have safe workplaces. I want to underscore that everyone has the right to work in a safe and healthy workplace. That is one of the reasons we have put into place standards under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to ensure that when workers and inspectors show up, they can feel confident that they're working in a healthy and secure place. </p><p style="">In a previous committee appearance last week, I expressed my profound concern when we heard of some of the outbreaks that have occurred. We need to be sure we're looking into the causes of those, but without in any way compromising the safety and security of those who are conducting those audits and inspections.</p><p style="">We will continue to work very closely with the provinces, which I'm sure my honourable colleague knows have the primary line of jurisdiction to ensure that occupational health and safety is being upheld on our farms and in our food and processing plants. </p></div>107691232020-05-22T14:16:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10769123
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I'm going to try to break that down. I want to give you the most accurate data I can, and I'm certainly happy to continue this conversation after the committee appearance.</p><p style="">In round terms, currently approximately 30,000 agricultural workers have arrived in Canada for this year, which breaks down along the seasonal agricultural worker program, as well as the broader family of workers who are providing support to our farms.</p><p style="">Under the seasonal agricultural worker program, we have approved permits for 18,000 temporary foreign workers, 15,000 of whom have already arrived and are starting the important work of planting and seeding. We know there are more coming. </p><p style="">This is work that not only I but my colleagues at Agriculture Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Global Affairs Canada are continuing, to ensure we are facilitating the safe and orderly arrival of temporary foreign workers who are abroad. One of the ways my department is accelerating that process is by setting up a dedicated team to reduce the period of time and ensure that those approvals are coming within 10 days or less, and to ensure that the mandatory isolation periods are in place to keep farms and our food security safe.</p></div>107691252020-05-22T14:19:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10769125
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I'm certainly familiar with both the proposal to look at ways of renewing visas for a two-year term as opposed to just one, as well as looking at ways to create additional flexibility around how fees are paid. I had a great call with a number of farmers and industry leaders earlier this week where we developed a bit on both of those subjects. Those discussions are ongoing.</p><p style="">In the short term, based on the numbers I just read into the record regarding our progress in April, as well as the progress we're making in May, we are seeing a significant number of temporary foreign workers arrive here in a timely, safe and orderly fashion, and that is because we stood up a dedicated team. We are fast-tracking approval. </p><p style="">Most importantly, and I think this gets to the gist of your question, we have introduced some additional work flexibility. If you're here and you're tied to a specific job or employer and you've lost that job because of COVID-19, you're now able to stay in Canada on implied status and take that new job prior to the official approval, just as a means of filling those labour gaps, which we know exist every year. </p><p style="">I thank you for that question.</p></div>107691282020-05-22T14:21:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:21)?PubType=40017&Item=10769128
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I'll begin by thanking my honourable colleague both for the compliments as well as for his work and advocacy when it comes to supporting our farmers. I know it's something he's very passionate about, as well as his dedication in the community.</p><p style="">He's quite right that at the outset, when we were examining ways we could limit the spread of COVID-19, we took a look at our borders and it quickly became clear that we needed to establish a lifeline for our temporary foreign workers, particularly those who come and work on our farms, are here year in and year out and have developed a close relationship with the farmers who employ them and with their co-workers and, as I've said before, have established a deep-rooted connection to Canada. We owe them a debt of gratitude, because without them, those labour shortages would continue to exist.</p><p style="">That was the principal rationale for creating a targeted exemptions regime that ensures they are able to arrive in Canada, but like everyone else, they have to abide by the 14-day isolation period. We have provided some additional support to farmers so that they have the resources they need to accommodate for physical distancing and isolation where necessary.</p><p style="">I could not agree more with the question.</p></div>107691302020-05-22T14:23:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10769130
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">First, I'm glad to see you survived the audit and you're still here among us. </p><p style="">Yes, you're quite right that the $1,500 per temporary foreign worker benefit, which is distributed through a $50-million envelope that went directly to farmers for this purpose, helps to ensure that workplaces in farms and processing plants are safe. This was in direct response to the feedback we heard both provincially and among farmers and industry leaders. </p><p style="">We looked at, and are continuing to look at, ways to provide that support. That's something that was acknowledged on my call earlier this week with stakeholders.</p></div>107691322020-05-22T14:24:23-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10769132
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">It allows me to express my gratitude to our public servants at IRCC, who have really risen to the challenge by creating alternative processes, by moving more into the digital realm, as all of us are, right across government and in life. As a result, we were able to launch the agri-food pilot, which is a commitment we made because we wanted to recognize not only the contributions that temporary workers are providing on our farms, but also, as I said earlier, the connection they develop to Canada and to their communities over a period of time.</p><p style="">What I've heard from farmers, and I'm sure my honourable colleague and members of the community are familiar with this too, is that there is a relationship that develops over a number of years. Because of that relationship, we want to acknowledge the work, effort and energy expended to help Canadians continue to get access to safe and affordable food by providing these workers with a pathway to permanent residence. It's very clear; it's set out and straightforward. There will be an allocation of 2,750 principal applicants each year for the next three years. We're going to make sure this is something that will contribute to long-term success by providing a way for them to become permanent residents, as well as to continue to contribute to food security for all Canadians. </p></div>107691362020-05-22T14:28:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10769136
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for your question and for your collaboration with my parliamentary secretary, Ms. Martinez Ferrada, who is with us this morning.</p><p style="">To answer your question, we have created a process that is more efficient and gives farmers more assistance. As you said, the money is for temporary workers, as it is true that the employer must cover the costs related to those workers.</p><p style="">At the same time, we were looking for new solutions and new ways to support our temporary foreign workers and our farmers. We have a team focusing on that program, which is so essential. We will continue to collaborate with you and with my Quebec counterpart, Mr. Jolin-Barrette, with whom I work every week. That collaboration will continue.</p></div>107691382020-05-22T14:30:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10769138
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">That is exactly the objective of this program. It's about providing that assistance to the farmer, who will pass the benefits on to the worker. If ever you found out about any problematic cases, you could contact my office, and we would carry out an investigation, if necessary.</p></div>107691402020-05-22T14:31:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10769140
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">The objective of that requirement is to ensure a minimum level of academic training, but the most important part is farm-related experience. That is the goal of this project—</p></div>107691422020-05-22T14:32:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10769142
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Yes, we just adopted a policy to maintain the status of workers whose permit has expired until it has been renewed.</p><p style=""> Just to follow up, as I said, there is a principle in place that if a worker has an expired visa, we are undertaking to renew that visa as quickly as we can to allow them to remain in Canada and to find that next job. That was a policy we just introduced in the last week and a half.</p></div>107691452020-05-22T14:34:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10769145
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I'd begin by emphasizing, as you did, the significant contribution of migrant workers, particularly when it comes to ensuring food security. We are always open to having constructive conversations about the way in which we can improve the program and ensure that it's meeting the objective of recognizing those contributions, the value of the work on farms when it comes to food security, by providing a clear way in which they can establish permanent residency in Canada.</p><p style="">Mr. MacGregor, as you know, this is a three-year pilot. By its very definition, it is an experiment, but one that we feel confident and optimistic about, because it is a step in the right direction in acknowledging the importance and the vitality of the work that migrant workers provide.</p></div>107691472020-05-22T14:35:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10769147
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">One is by ensuring that we continue to manage our borders and place the health and safety of Canadians as our paramount concern, but also that we also have targeted exemptions for temporary workers, migrant workers, who are allowing Canadians to continue to get access to safe and healthy food. This agri-food pilot is an initiative that supports all of those objectives and recognizes the relationship between workers year over year to Canada.</p><p style="">The way we create that resiliency is by continuing to measure our success in this program and by measuring our needs within the economy, particularly when it comes to the labour shortages that we see on our farms and among seafood workers, and by leveraging the opportunities for those who are abroad who have the experience, who have the skill sets and who want to come and put their shoulders to the wheel, if you will. I'm confident that there are many ways in which we can ensure the long-term resiliency of these initiatives.</p></div>107691492020-05-22T14:37:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10769149
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">We sure do.</p><p style="">I want to take a moment to acknowledge that as we come out of the pandemic, we are also concerned about Canadians who are unemployed. We want to be sure that we're supporting them in this period through a variety of financial assistance programs, which have been well received, and are allowing them to retool so they can bounce back and get back to work, because we need to ensure that our economy gets moving again.</p><p style="">Where we can't do this, and where in our economy we continue to see labour shortages, I want to assure members of the committee that the temporary foreign worker program will be there as an important lever. We will align those shortages to the skills and experience that we find abroad, as we have done with farming and food security. I believe that will be very much a part of our ability to recover after we are on the other side of COVID-19.</p></div>107691512020-05-22T14:38:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10769151
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">We have looked at ways to create that flexibility, including with biometrics, having regard for the fact that our visa application centres are either closed or at reduced capacity.</p><p style=""> I want to emphasize that decisions to close visa application centres are made by foreign governments. However, we remain engaged with our service personnel abroad and remain engaged with source countries to ensure that they are recognizing the importance of the essential sector for our visa application centres. That's especially true in Mexico.</p></div>107691552020-05-22T14:41:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10769155
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for your question, Ms. Bessette.</p><p style="">A number of challenges exist. First, as I was saying, conditions are imposed outside Canada, in other countries, which are restricting the opening of offices. We are continuing to hire, in collaboration with our partner, outside Canada to expand and improve the process followed in other countries. In Canada, we have created a team that is in charge of expediting request approvals. Currently, requests are being approved in only 10 days or less. We have made a lot of progress, and we will continue to look for solutions to support temporary foreign workers.</p></div>107691572020-05-22T14:43:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10769157
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for your question.</p><p style="">I am working closely with my counterparts from across Canada, including Mr. Jolin-Barrette, in Quebec. We are collaborating on a number of aspects in various areas, in particular on the temporary worker program. When we collaborate with other countries, we need to have an approach that aligns with provincial approaches. So a lot of cooperation is going into accommodating those workers, and that work will continue.</p></div>107691592020-05-22T14:44:36-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10769159
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">If by “infrastructure” you mean the supports in place, they are holding up quite well, and that is because we have provided financial support to farmers. We have provided supports for temporary workers around the conditions of their work to ensure there is a high standard of health and safety.</p><p style="">As I said, we want to ensure that they are getting into Canada as quickly as possible, but without in any way compromising our primary objective to stop the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. We've put into place a whole suite of measures to ensure the temporary workers and the farms on which they are working are very supported.</p></div>107691612020-05-22T14:45:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10769161
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">The objective of the agri-food pilot program is to open up a pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers. Its goal is to make us think about the contribution of that category of workers and about their connection to Canada. I am optimistic about the outcome of that pilot program.</p></div>107691642020-05-22T14:47:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10769164
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Okay. He owes you one.</p></div>107691662020-05-22T14:47:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10769166
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">First, I want to say that if we haven't gotten back to him, we will make sure we get back to him as quickly as possible. I acknowledge that it has been a very challenging time for our team and our officials, but we will be sure to get back to him with a response as quickly as possible.</p></div>107691682020-05-22T14:48:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10769168
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">You're quite right that there are some regional disparities. We are looking at ways we can increase and accelerate the rate of arrival for some of the provinces who are perhaps not as far along, like British Columbia, as you mentioned. I think we have seen good progress in Ontario and Quebec. One of the ways I think we're going to pick up speed in facilitating the arrival of temporary workers is by continuing to invest the resources that are necessary in the dedicated team within my own department, and also among a number of other departments like Agriculture, as well as Employment and Social Development, and Public Services and Procurement Canada. We understand there's a challenge there, but we are really expending every effort to get those workers here as quickly as possible.</p></div>107691732020-05-22T14:50:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10769173
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I am always ready to work with you and with all of our colleagues from the House of Commons to find solutions that could simplify the process or to create a more efficient process.</p><p style="">The announcements our government has made are the result of collaboration with all the parties, all the members, and we will continue with that exercise. It is very constructive.</p></div>107691752020-05-22T14:51:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10769175
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Yes. Just to clarify, as I said, if their visas have expired, they are able to stay on implied status and continue to look for new work. As soon as they get that job offer, they are able to start that work.</p><p style="">Policies are in effect to enable workers who have lost their job or whose permit is expired to remain in Canada, to search for another job and to start working more quickly.</p></div>107691792020-05-22T14:54:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10769179
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for the question, Mr. Barlow. As well, it was my pleasure to be able to collaborate with you in the early days of the outbreak to ensure that we were making the strongest possible case to create the exemption for migrant workers who are plying their trade on our farms. I just want you to know that co-operation will continue.</p><p style="">As a result, I feel as though the government and, I hope, all Canadians truly appreciate the significant contributions of this class of workers, who come from abroad to shore up food security.</p><p style="">Thank you for bringing this specific issue to my attention. I think, as you alluded to in your question, it's one that I will share with my colleague, Madame Bibeau, at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as well as with Minister Qualtrough at ESDC. We should continue that conversation.</p></div>107691812020-05-22T14:56:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10769181
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">As I mentioned, we had a very constructive call earlier this week with a number of stakeholders, and we did talk about the significance and the importance of guaranteeing occupational health and safety on farms and in food processing plants.</p><p style="">As I said in my remarks and throughout the course of today's appearance, everyone has a right to work in a place that is healthy and safe. There is an opportunity to discuss with some of the leaders in the labour sector exactly what their concerns are. I am generally aware of what those concerns are. In the meantime, I want to assure you that's one of the reasons we amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: to set the bar very high, to provide the additional resources to inspectors and auditors, to be there as an important guarantee for not only the temporary workers but all workers who are there to keep our food supply chain going.</p></div>107691852020-05-22T14:58:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10769185
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I agree with my colleague's comments. </p><p style="">It is true that the pilot project is not a magic bullet that will solve all the problems in that sector. On the other hand, this is an example of an initiative that highlights the value of that sector's workers and the areas where progress can be made.</p></div>107691892020-05-22T14:59:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 14:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10769189
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Ellis, it's good to see you. I recall with fondness my visit to your riding and our visit to CFB Trenton.</p><p style="">With regard to the progress that we've made with the temporary foreign worker program, it's certainly not the product only of my time in this portfolio. This is the value of having a government that believes in leveraging the skills and experience of workers who are coming from abroad to help shore up the food supply chain, who are truly here to help us keep affordable food—healthy and safe food—on the plates of Canadians.</p><p style="">The way in which we have seen progress is by investing in this program and standing up teams to ensure that we are fast-tracking approvals of the permits, particularly now during COVID-19, by introducing a number of standards in place to protect the workers' health and safety while they're here and, as I've pointed out, by creating a way they can establish a permanent connection to Canada through the agri-food pilot.</p><p style="">These are all important initiatives that are the product of our government, and this work will continue and will position us to recover very strongly after we're on the other side of this curve with COVID-19.</p></div>107691912020-05-22T15:01:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 15:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10769191
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Ellis, as you likely know, this is a shared portfolio, so it really does involve a number of ministries coming together to open the pathway to allow a temporary worker to come to Canada. One is at my department, IRCC, where we issue the visa, the travel document, but it also requires in the vast majority of instances a work permit, which is issued as a result of a labour market impact assessment issued by my colleague, Minister Qualtrough, and her department.</p><p style="">The reason we have both of these two departments collaborating is to ensure that we're allying the skills and experience from abroad with those parts of the economy where it's proven to be difficult to recruit domestic labour. The flexibility that we've introduced very recently is really a reflection of the need to find ways to fill those gaps even more effectively during COVID-19, and of our not necessarily having the luxury of waiting for the usual timelines to expire before somebody can start that new job.</p><p style="">This again is the product of a lot of consultation and a lot of feedback we've gotten from provinces, farmers and other leaders in the industry.</p></div>107691942020-05-22T15:04:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - AGRI-11 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-22 15:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10769194
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I don't have much to add. I think you put it very eloquently. It's a cautionary tale to stop and think before anyone jumps on a John Deere and thinks they know what they're doing.</p><p style="">No, Mr. Chair, I echo the sentiments very much. Certainly it was my intention today to shine a light on the significant contribution of temporary foreign workers and to help educate Canadians that throughout this pandemic we are very much dependent on these workers right now who are coming, who are planting, who are seeding, who are beginning to harvest. This is work they do year-round. They work pretty much 365 days a year; certainly farmers do. As a result we get access to good, healthy food. We need food. We could not do it without them.</p><p style="">Thank you very much.</p></div>107655532020-05-22T11:01:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10765553
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. At your request, I will keep my remarks in English.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair and honourable members, thank you for this opportunity to speak to the committee today about the health portfolio’s role in the government’s response to COVID-19. </p><p style="">The scope of COVID-19 has left no country untouched. Tragically, this pandemic has claimed thousands of lives worldwide, and Canada has not been immune. My heart goes out to all those who have lost a loved one here in Canada or elsewhere in the world.</p><p style="">During this unprecedented crisis, Canada has worked together to protect our health care systems and avoid the surges that have led to even greater loss of life in other countries. We must continue to work together to ensure that our health systems are fully prepared to care for Canadians as the world strives to find treatments and a vaccine. To do so effectively, we are collaborating with the provinces and territories to identify their needs and to help purchase required equipment, supplies and services.</p><p style=""> We have taken an aggressive approach to buying, especially when it comes to personal protective equipment for front-line health care workers. This includes ordering in bulk on behalf of provinces and territories, supplementing these orders by purchasing everything immediately available that meets requirements, and galvanizing Canadian industries to increase domestic manufacturing capacity. These measures are over and above what the provinces and territories are doing to secure their own supplies. </p><p style="">The government is also coordinating shipments of supplies from other countries. Canada has established on-the-ground support in China for transportation, receiving, storage services and customs clearances.</p><p style=""> Canada is receiving shipments, and the government is working to rapidly distribute personal protective equipment and medical supplies to the provinces and territories, using an approach agreed upon by federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health. </p><p style="">Provinces are proactively allocated 80% of shipments on a per capita basis, while 20% is held back for the national emergency strategic stockpile. This holdback is used to fulfill urgent requests for assistance from provinces and territories.</p><p style="">Furthermore, we know that early diagnosis is essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. That’s why in March I signed an interim order to allow expedited access to COVID-19-related medical devices, including diagnostic test kits. An interim order is one of the fastest mechanisms the government can use to help make health products available to address larger-scale public health emergencies. To date, we have authorized 19 tests under this interim order, tools that are necessary for our response to this pandemic.</p><p style="">The interim order also ensures that other COVID-19-related medical devices are available to treat, mitigate or prevent this disease. To help do this, the order allows Health Canada to review approvals granted by other countries when deciding whether to authorize a device for importation or sale. It also waives all application fees for COVID-19-related medical devices, further removing impediments for manufacturers in this time of public health need.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, the health portfolio, in particular through the dedication of officials at the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, is committed to doing everything it can to protect the health and well-being of all Canadians.</p><p style="">I would like to conclude by thanking all of you, honourable members, for your ongoing work, collaboration and support to your constituents during this difficult time. Together we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that our country’s response continues to be effective and that we are equipped into the future.</p><p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107655562020-05-22T11:06:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10765556
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">Yes, there have been substandard masks that have been distributed through other suppliers and have been deemed to be deficient and not meeting public health standards.</p></div>107655582020-05-22T11:06:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10765558
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">No, they did not.</p></div>107655602020-05-22T11:06:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10765560
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I don't have the precise name. I don't know if officials know the name of the distributor. We can follow up.</p></div>107655622020-05-22T11:07:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10765562
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I'll turn to Deputy Minister Lucas, who is monitoring the situation.</p></div>107655712020-05-22T11:10:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10765571
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style=""> I'll have to follow up on that question.</p></div>107655792020-05-22T11:12:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10765579
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">The department is working full steam on procurement in partnership with Procurement Canada and on supporting, as you heard earlier, licensing for new products developed here or new products that are available in markets elsewhere.</p><p style="">The important piece of work that happened early on was developing a framework for how we would allocate personal protective equipment across the country in a timely way and ensuring that we had a distribution mechanism to get PPE to provinces and territories quickly and fairly, one that allowed us, of course, to hold back the 20% so that we could have emergency supplies if there was a surge in any particular jurisdiction. That formula has worked very well.</p><p style="">I have regular meetings with my provincial counterparts each week, and one of the issues we talk about is PPE. As for the requests that have come forward, we have been able to refill almost all of them. There are some new ones, as always happens, but generally speaking, people are satisfied with how the sharing agreement is unfolding.</p></div>107655812020-05-22T11:14:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10765581
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">As the member is fully aware, testing is one of the important and integral components to resuming a new normal. At the federal level, we see ourselves as building capacity for all the provinces and territories to test to their fullest need.</p><p style="">We've been actively engaged with provinces and territories to ensure, first of all, that they have testing approaches that work for them and have the equipment, the reagent and the swabs that go along with the particular approach they've chosen. This includes offering human resources where necessary for the contact tracing that goes along with the testing. We continually have conversations with provinces and territories on additional needs that they might have to meet their own particular targets. Each province and territory has its own testing approach and strategy. We work within the framework of the province that is asking for support.</p></div>107655852020-05-22T11:15:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10765585
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">As the member knows, in our last mandate, reinvesting in research and science was one of the pillars of our approach to getting Canada ready for all kinds of things we would face in the future. Thankfully, that investment has allowed us to build. We've invested just over $158 million in COVID-19 research through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Strong is here with us today, and he has had an active role in ensuring that this money gets out quickly.</p><p style="">I want to thank the research community, the academic community, for coming together to do the peer review necessary to ensure that quality research projects were selected to fund. This work began in early March, so I'm very excited to say the research is ongoing. It's a blend of scientific research on the virus itself, on some of the other impacts on Canadians as a result of living through a pandemic, and on behavioural insights that will help us to support Canadians into the future.</p></div>107655872020-05-22T11:17:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10765587
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">He is, yes.</p></div>107655932020-05-22T11:19:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10765593
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style=""> I will turn to my officials to answer the question.</p><p style=""> Dr. Namiesniowski.</p></div>107655982020-05-22T11:21:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:21)?PubType=40017&Item=10765598
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">Thank you.</p><p style="">The formula is as you described. As we receive personal protective equipment in a variety of categories, the equipment is distributed based on an eighty-twenty formula and per capita, meaning that provinces get an allotment based on their population and that 20% of the deliveries are held back by the Public Health Agency of Canada so that we have them in case any other particular region in Canada experiences a sudden surge. In that case, we would have the capacity to support that region.</p><p style="">This was agreed upon by all provinces and territories. </p></div>107656002020-05-22T11:22:49-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10765600
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">You did, sort of. If there were 100 masks received, then 80 masks would be distributed across the country to the provinces and territories, depending on their population. If they had a very small population, they might get five masks. If they had a very large population, they might get more. Then 20 of those masks would be stored in the national emergency stockpile, against the potential of an outbreak in another part of the country. </p></div>107656032020-05-22T11:23:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10765603
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">The short answer is no. In terms of personal protective equipment, unless it's coming from an approved vendor we have worked with before, all items are tested, and Health Canada works very carefully to ensure the safety of all equipment and reviews the approvals of other countries.</p></div>107656062020-05-22T11:25:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:25)?PubType=40017&Item=10765606
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">Through the chair, I will say that before the outbreak, I had been the minister for a month and a half, so I was just in the process of learning about all the agencies for which I would then have responsibility. </p><p style="">I will say that the agency has been extremely responsive in terms of indicating its needs to multiple governments. In fact, the agency was actually working on renewing and looking at its—</p></div>107656082020-05-22T11:26:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10765608
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">Yes, I was.</p></div>107656102020-05-22T11:26:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10765610
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I can't speak to the five years prior to our government. Under the Harper Conservatives, the agencies experienced significant cuts. However, I can tell you that during the five years we were in government we increased funding to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In 2014-15, the funding was $637 million. We increased that funding by 6% in 2018-19, when the funding was $675.4 million.</p><p style="">I say this because that's the nature of how these conversations happen at cabinet. It is rare that a minister would come forward with a specific request about a specific line item. Rather, they would submit those budget proposals to the finance minister and work directly with the finance minister, unless it was changing a program in its specific nature.</p></div>107656122020-05-22T11:27:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10765612
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I'll refer to my quote. I believe that public health has been underfunded for decades. I believe we don't spend enough money on prevention, and that would include preparedness. I stand by that statement, but I also understand that the national emergency stockpile was never meant to accumulate personal protective equipment but rather other kinds of treatments for all kinds of biological events.</p></div>107656262020-05-22T11:34:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10765626
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">We'll check with procurement about what they have ordered in terms of non-medical equipment. Through my department, the realm that we work in is medical equipment. Anything that's distributed through the Public Health Agency of Canada to provinces and territories has been thoroughly tested or is from a trusted supplier.</p></div>107656352020-05-22T11:36:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10765635
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style=""> In answer to the question, everything that we received through the Public Health Agency of Canada that's redistributed to provinces and territories goes through a verification check for safety and quality here in Canada.</p></div>107656382020-05-22T11:37:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10765638
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">You're absolutely right. We know that contact tracing is a critical component. It's not enough just to test someone. In fact, when they are positive, then you have to figure out whom they've had close contact with to stop the spread of disease. We know that contact tracing is time-consuming and labourious and that many public health units are working flat out to do it as well as they can. </p><p style="">At the Government of Canada level, we have reinforced the capacity of provinces and territories to do contact tracing by training government workers in Statistics Canada to support provinces and territories to do that work. In fact, that is being utilized in Ontario and, I believe, Quebec. We will continue to offer that support to provinces and territories. </p><p style="">It is an incredibly important component of stopping outbreaks. </p></div>107656402020-05-22T11:38:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10765640
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I'll give a few brief comments and then I'll turn to the deputy. We are working with many departments, but most profoundly with Innovation, Science and Economic Development on the research and development of products and equipment that can be sourced and created in Canada, but also on vaccine development and therapeutics. </p><p style="">I'll turn to Deputy Lucas to say a few words about that. </p></div>107656432020-05-22T11:40:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10765643
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I'd like to thank the officials at Health Canada and PHAC for working so hard during this pandemic to accelerate processes that would sometimes take much longer. In fact, as of May 16, Health Canada has authorized 80 disinfectants, 2,200 new hand sanitizer products and over 1,500 new site licences for over-the-counter drugs and natural health products. </p><p style="">You can see the speed at which the department is working to ensure that the Canadian companies that are stepping up to be a part of this solution, whether with products or with medical devices, have answers quickly. </p><p style="">Finally, I'll just say that the department also works very closely with these manufacturers and developers to make sure that their products can actually receive Health Canada approval. Sometimes it can be a tweak in a process or a slight change to the formulation that is required, but Health Canada has been extremely hard-working to ensure that these hard-working Canadian companies have the support they need to have success on the licensing end. </p></div>107656562020-05-22T11:45:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10765656
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">We are also requiring independent testing data now for new KN95 approvals from Health Canada to ensure that we have our own independent testing data.</p></div>107656622020-05-22T11:47:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10765662
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">I think it's not just me. There are multiple levels of communication with the provinces and territories that allow us to have a very quick line of sight into what their needs might be and what concerns they have in terms of their own particular epidemiology.</p><p style="">Dr. Tam, as you know, meets with the public health officers at least once or twice a week, and maybe even more frequently. I'm looking at her, but I know it's a lot. It's three times a week. I have been having twice-weekly calls with my counterparts. I think this week we've had one call. I know that President Namiesniowski connects provincially and territorially as well. So does Deputy Minister Lucas. Through all of those conversations, each with a specific purpose, we are able to gain information very quickly from a variety of different perspectives about what needs might be arising.</p><p style="">In terms of equipment, though, there are also formal requests that come forward in addition to the allotted sharing that we've agreed upon. That request might indicate that a province or territory has extraordinary needs, and then we are able to fill those very quickly.</p></div>107656752020-05-22T11:56:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - 2020-05-22Committee Evidence - OGGO-13 - Hon. Patty Hajdu (2020-05-22 11:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10765675
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HajduPatty_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Patty Hajdu</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Thunder Bay—Superior North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88984<p style="">Actually, I'll answer that question, because the conversations at cabinet are private, as the member knows. </p></div>107633182020-05-21T15:08:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10763318
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. I really appreciate the opportunity to speak with this committee about some of our government's supports for Canada's small business owners and entrepreneurs.</p><p style="">Small businesses are at the very heart of our communities across the country, and they are truly the backbone of our national economy. They employ 8.3 million hard-working Canadians and account for nearly seven out of every 10 private sector jobs in our country.</p><p style="">Therefore, when this pandemic hit, we knew that we needed to do everything possible to help them here in Canada. We remain steadfast to ensure that these small businesses that are the pillars of our towns, our cities and our neighbourhoods get support during this difficult time.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, over the past several months my team and I have spoken with thousands upon thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs in every sector and region across Canada. We heard that our response to COVID-19 needs to be flexible and balanced. </p><p style="">It needs to be flexible because the situation we currently face is truly unprecedented, and there really is no template to work from. Circumstances and challenges are still evolving, and at a rapid pace. Our response also needs to be balanced, because we need to meet the needs of all small business owners during these challenging times. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to relief.</p><p style="">Small businesses, because of their size, are often more entrepreneurial, more nimble and very in touch with their customers and communities. This is often the key to their success, but it also makes them vulnerable during turbulent times like the one that we are facing right now in a global pandemic.</p><p style="">When Canadians are asked to stay at home and they’re not able to eat out at their favourite restaurant, go to an appointment at their physiotherapist's or their salon or travel and stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast, there is an impact on those businesses. If you’re an entrepreneur who has invested everything in a community theatre or a pub or a bakery or your technology, you're absolutely feeling the brunt of COVID-19. You have probably had to close your doors, and your sales have probably taken a huge hit. Indeed, for many they've disappeared entirely.</p><p style="">When people are asked to stay at home, they’re likely to also hold off on purchases, so if you’re a business that sells technology, furniture or jewellery, you’ve also taken a hit. Then there are service providers that we normally interact with every day: our dry cleaners, our yoga studios, fitness studios, day cares and hair salons. They’re feeling the effects of having to temporarily close their doors. If you are in a business that moves people or goods, like our taxi drivers or our delivery service workers, your revenue has been impacted too.</p><p style="">The harsh reality is that the majority of our entrepreneurs and small business owners have faced serious challenges, and this happened almost overnight for them.</p><p style="">For a small business to get over the challenges of this pandemic, they’re likely facing at least three major threats: keeping their teams together, keeping their costs low and covering their operating expenses. Our government has taken serious and decisive action to address each of these threats.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, I grew up in a small business. I know that this is often a family affair. Seventy-five per cent of Canadian small businesses have fewer than 10 employees. You often know each other's birthdays, kids’ names and spouses. From my own experience and through conversations with small business owners, I know that employers often think of their teams as extended family. I also know that in order for a business to remain resilient through this difficulty and recover more quickly after this challenging time, the team must stay together.</p><p style="">That is why one of our most important initiatives is the Canada emergency wage subsidy. Through this subsidy, we are going to keep more Canadians employed by covering 75% of those wages. This will be a key support as we enter the restart phase, and we’re extending the wage subsidy for an extra three months, until the end of August.</p><p style="">We're also helping over 3.2 million businesses and self-employed Canadians to keep their costs low by allowing them to defer GST, HST and customs duty payments. In addition, they can keep more money in their pockets over the next number of weeks and months because we're extending the tax filing deadline and allowing businesses to defer any payments, if they owe any, until August 31, again helping them keep their costs low so that they can have that extra flexibility to manage that cash flow.</p><p style=""> To entrepreneurs across the country, we also know that covering your operating costs, like rent and utilities, is an incredible challenge right now, so through the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance, we've partnered with provinces and territories to reduce rent by 75% for businesses experiencing incredible hardships for the months of April, May and June, and starting next Monday, May 25, applications for the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance will be opened. </p><p style="">We know that business owners and landlords can work through those details now through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Those details are already available, and they can start looking at them and be ready for when the application opens next week.</p><p style="">Rent, of course, is not an area of federal responsibility, but the success of businesses, frankly, is the responsibility of all of us, so we're working hard to make sure that this rent assistance support gets out as quickly as possible. We've also introduced a variety of lending supports available through banks and credit unions to help businesses with their cash flow.</p><p style=""> One of these is the Canada emergency business account, or CEBA. Many of you know about this. It's a $40,000 interest-free loan with up to $10,000 forgivable if they're able to pay it back by the end of 2022, and to date this support has helped over 621,000 businesses and entrepreneurs across the country who have accessed it. It's helping our favourite restaurant to keep its lights on while also switching some of its operations to delivery service. It's helping that furniture store that relies on foot traffic to stay afloat so that it can keep paying the cost of its warehouse space. It means that the local bed and breakfast is maintaining its property even if its doors are temporarily closed. On Tuesday, just a couple of days ago, we announced that this CEBA loan will now be expanded and available to businesses that don't have a minimum $20,000 payroll. </p><p style="">That means that if you're a sole proprietor or a business that relies on contracts or a family-owned firm that pays its employees in dividends, you're now eligible. You need to have a business bank account, a CRA number under which you're filing your tax returns for 2018-2019, and non-deferrable expenses of between $40,000 and $1.5 million. These are non-deferrable expenses like rent, utilities, insurance, salaries, and that sort of thing. </p><p style="">We've certainly heard from the hair salon owners and stylists who rent chairs, the local chiropractor who has a practice but no employees, the farmer who pays himself in dividends but has to pay machinery costs and animal feed. This loan expansion is going to help not only those businesses but thousands more businesses to access this support.</p><p style=""> We know that there's still more to do. For those businesses that operate out of a personal bank account and that are too new and have yet to file a tax return, we're working hard to make sure that we have a solution to help them as well through this challenging time. For larger businesses looking to get support through this difficult time, there are other liquidity supports, other loans that are available of up to $12.5 million, also available through financial institutions like banks and credit unions. </p><p style="">We know that all across the country, across every region, businesses need to be supported. Some are not supported through the programs that I just talked about, and because of that we've devoted almost a billion dollars to rural tourism businesses through the regional relief recovery fund, and we've also created supports to help indigenous-owned businesses, young entrepreneurs, innovative and high-growth firms, women entrepreneurs and many, many more. </p><p style="">Mr. Chair, our government has acted quickly. We've introduced broad measures to help small businesses from coast to coast to coast. These measures will help businesses weather the storm, but we know that the introduction of the measures is really just a first step and that businesses are going to continue to need help and support in order to weather this period and make it into the restart.</p><p style="">That's also why we created the Innovation Canada portal and the Business Canada app. It's so that small businesses can navigate through the many supports that we've introduced. We've also partnered with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to create the Canadian Business Resilience Network so that owners of small businesses can truly get the support they need. It's more than being able to put money out; it's making sure that they also have the support and tools to be able to access the support properly to help them through this time. </p><p style=""> I'd like to close by thanking the many small businesses that are providing essential services to our communities through this challenging time. My colleagues and I have heard countless stories of entrepreneurs and communities all across the country going beyond the call of duty and just giving back. I'm so impressed by the resilience of our incredible business owners and what they've done to help each other out through this difficult period. To those hard-working business owners, I want to say thank you.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, we're all in this together. I appreciate this committee's support for the efforts during this difficult time. As I keep saying everywhere across the country on Zoom calls, just like the one we're having today, we're all here to help our small businesses survive this pandemic and pave the way for our economy to recover. We'll continue doing the hard work together to help save the small businesses of our hard-working Canadians and those jobs across the country.</p><p style=""> I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to all of you today. I look forward to taking your questions.</p><p style="">Thank you very much.</p></div>107633212020-05-21T15:20:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10763321
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you so much, James, for that question. I also want to thank you for all of your great work in representing not only your constituents but indeed Canadians as the critic on small business. Your input and that of Tami's and so many businesses are so important. Indeed, we created the programs that we have by listening to them and listening to the support they need.</p><p style=""> I'm pleased that we were able to expand CEBA so that Tami can get access to the $40,000 interest-free loan to help with those operating expenses. Of course, the application will open on Monday for landlords to apply. </p><p style="">Listen, we know how important that rent expense is and what a burden it is for businesses, particularly small businesses like the one you're in that has been closed. I thank businesses like Tami's and everyone's for closing their doors to keep us all safe. </p><p style="">We're going to encourage landlords to take advantage of this program. We've all been in this together. It's remarkable what Canadians have done to help flatten this curve. I'm going to encourage landlords to take advantage of this program so that our small businesses can get that help, that 75% reduction.</p></div>107633232020-05-21T15:22:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10763323
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">As you know, rent is not an area of federal responsibility, but helping businesses across this country is all of our responsibility. We worked hard with our provincial and territorial counterparts. Together we put forward a program that will provide 75% rent reduction help for those small businesses. We look forward to those landlords taking advantage of this so that together we can help our small businesses.</p></div>107633252020-05-21T15:23:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10763325
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">The number is 621,000.</p></div>107633272020-05-21T15:23:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10763327
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I don't have the number for the rejections. </p><p style=""> This was put forward as a 100% loan guaranteed by the federal Government of Canada through the financial institutions. This uptake of 621,000 is really excellent, because that's how many businesses are being helped across the country from coast to coast to coast. I know that with this expansion, it will help even thousands more companies.</p></div>107633292020-05-21T15:24:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10763329
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I don't have the specifics on the average loan size. I don't know if my deputy is able to share that.</p><p style=""> I would say, though, that it's up to $40,000. I certainly know from the businesses that I have talked to that many businesses have taken up all $40,000, while others have taken less than that. I don't know if my deputy has specifics.</p></div>107633342020-05-21T15:25:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:25)?PubType=40017&Item=10763334
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I don't have the specifics.</p><p style=""> Deputy, do you think you could just share that with the member, please?</p></div>107633382020-05-21T15:25:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:25)?PubType=40017&Item=10763338
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I don't have that either, but I actually do have the answer to your earlier question: It is a 0.4% fee for the banks to administer the Canada emergency business account.</p></div>107633412020-05-21T15:28:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10763341
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> This truly is unprecedented. You're absolutely right.</p><p style=""> We take pride in the way we listen to Canadians in the course of developing policies, programs and funding for the range of supports in the normal course of doing business in government. With the global pandemic, the absolute urgency of getting support out to businesses and Canadians was the focus. We listened to Canadians, literally right from the very beginning, and we continue to listen to those businesses so we can reflect on where there may have been a gap, where something may need to be changed and adapted along the way. </p><p style="">Some of those adaptations also mean making legislative changes. I thank all our colleagues from all sides of the House for coming in and helping us as team Canada to introduce the wage subsidy, as an example. That required legislation for the size of the emergency support package we've had to put out in an effort to support Canadians. </p><p style="">The Canada emergency business account is an example of how we listened to colleagues on this committee and listened to colleagues from all sides who had input and feedback from their own constituents and businesses about what was or wasn't working. </p><p style="">My department, right from the get-go, has a call every single day throughout this entire pandemic. It started with tens of businesses and grew to hundreds of businesses. Now it's over 1,000 businesses, as well as business associations. They talk to my department every single day so we can understand the issues they are facing and the needs they are dealing with. They represent different sectors, so we are making the adaptations, making sure we have invested in their regional development agencies and community futures programs to ensure additional support is there for smaller businesses in rural communities. </p><p style="">We are making sure we are providing support through the industrial research assistance program for those high-growth innovative companies that weren't experiencing the kinds of revenue losses that are calculated by many other companies, but for that sector it is a revenue loss.</p></div>107633452020-05-21T15:32:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10763345
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Okay.</p><p style="">I just announced $15 million on Saturday to support the women entrepreneurship strategy ecosystem fund. This is part of an $85-million strategy that we have put in place for these entrepreneurship ecosystems specifically to help women. </p><p style="">Women are wearing lots of different hats right now, and they are severely impacted, so we're helping them navigate, get access to capital and get the support they need. These ecosystems are very busy. They operate all across the country, and they're doing their level best to make sure our female entrepreneurs are supported.</p><p style="">For the smaller businesses that may not want the CEBA, that's what community futures programs and the regional development agencies are doing. In your region, ACOA is of course doing extraordinary work. </p><p style="">Will we continue to adapt, listen, and make sure businesses are supported? Absolutely. That's been the approach all the way along, and it's going to continue. </p></div>107633492020-05-21T15:34:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10763349
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Ste-Marie. It's really wonderful to see you here. </p><p style="">As my colleague the finance minister said, he would be pleased to provide an update when we have more stability.</p><p style="">During this extraordinary period—because it is an extraordinary period—we've always committed to being open and transparent about the support we're providing to Canadians, to families and to businesses.</p><p style="">Right now, $150 billion of direct support has gone out for this effort. We will commit to continue to be open and transparent. That is what Canadians expect of us, and we will do that. I know that the finance minister will be able to provide an update when we have a bit more stability.</p></div>107633512020-05-21T15:37:03-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10763351
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> Thank you so much, Mr. Ste-Marie.</p><p style="">It's really remarkable, and I'm so proud to be a Canadian right now, because businesses have stood up to add to the fight against COVID-19 by retooling their shops in order to produce PPE and the necessary equipment and supplies that we need during this period.</p><p style="">Wearing my other hat as the international trade minister, I have been working steadfastly with partners in G7 and G20 countries, like-minded countries, through organizations like the World Trade Organization to ensure that supply chains remain open, particularly around medical supplies and key agricultural products, so that we can get the supplies into our industries and to Canadians. It's really important. Over 5,000 companies have stood up in our made-in-Canada strategy to help us all through this crisis with the production of equipment. </p><p style="">With respect to the restart to the economy, COVID-19 has been experienced differently in different parts of the country, so as expected, you see restarts taking place with a different phasing approach in each of the territories and provinces—probably just slightly differently. The federal government has been working with jurisdictions to make sure that we're taking a coordinated approach so that we are doing this restart carefully, with the health and safety of Canadians at the forefront.</p><p style="">We've asked Canadians, including ourselves, to make enormous sacrifices in the effort to flatten the curve and to help make sure that the health and safety of Canadians is our top priority. A lot of sacrifices have been made, and certainly businesses have been impacted because of this. This restart is going to be done in coordination and collaboration, and we're going to do it while supporting our businesses as they go through this.</p><p style="">With respect to the specifics around mobilization, I don't know if my deputy wants to add to that.</p></div>107633602020-05-21T15:41:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10763360
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Our job right from the get-go is to support our Canadian businesses. I think you've heard me say this publicly: Saving businesses and saving jobs is what we are steadfastly committed to doing—</p></div>107633622020-05-21T15:41:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10763362
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">My focus and the government's focus is to keep supporting them.</p></div>107633642020-05-21T15:42:24-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10763364
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> We have been working with the provinces and the territories on this program, in respect of their jurisdictions, of course. I know that some Atlantic provinces have implemented a moratorium on evictions. We of course will continually work with the provinces to make sure that this program is going to be effective so that small businesses can get their 75% reduction.</p></div>107633662020-05-21T15:43:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10763366
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I'm pleased that the application is open on Monday. You've heard me and the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister say how important it is to support these small business owners like Jay. They need to get supported with the 75% rent reduction. That's what this is about. We're going to keep working on this. I think we have a track record of continuing to listen to business owners and our colleagues, and of working together so that we can do what I think we all agree on, which is to help those businesses.</p></div>107633682020-05-21T15:45:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10763368
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you so much, Mr. Johns. I want to start first by thanking the many hard-working civil servants who have steadfastly through this enormously challenging period stepped up to do the incredible work that they have in supporting the government and indeed Canadians to make sure that programs have been designed, have been iterated and have been improved upon so that we can get that help out to Canadians. There is nothing more important to me than helping Canadian small businesses.</p></div>107633712020-05-21T15:45:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10763371
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">Nothing is more important to me than making sure that this support is there for small businesses. You heard me say that they are literally the dynamic backbone of our communities, and we're going to keep doing this work as we need to. There are a range of programs right now that we're going to continue to help them save their employees, help them with some cash flow and make sure that they get the 75% rent support.</p></div>107633742020-05-21T15:47:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10763374
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">The answer is that we will continue to work with our small businesses to make sure that they are supported through this. The personal account change is something that we are already committed to do, and we are just working through the final pieces to make sure that's available to those hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners.</p></div>107633772020-05-21T15:48:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10763377
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">It will be as quickly and as fast as we can go.</p></div>107633792020-05-21T15:48:24-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10763379
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">The wage subsidy is an important benefit to help employers keep their employees. I would say that over two million Canadians already are being helped.</p></div>107633812020-05-21T15:48:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10763381
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We're going to keep listening to businesses. I really appreciate the input that we are getting from businesses so that we can keep doing the work we need to do to help them.</p></div>107633832020-05-21T15:49:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10763383
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">On that specific one, perhaps my office can get back to her. </p><p style="">I didn't quite get the full question. My headphones cut out for a second. Can you just repeat that for me?</p></div>107633852020-05-21T15:50:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10763385
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Okay. I understand that.</p><p style="">The wage subsidy does apply to workers who are being paid part time. There is eligibility there. </p><p style="">I just want to remind people that CERB was put out in an effort to help Canadians flatten the curve by staying at home. It's a temporary benefit to help all Canadians to do what we needed to do to flatten this curve. </p><p style="">As you know, the wage subsidy is being extended, and we are going to continue to listen to businesses. We said we were going to do that.</p></div>107633892020-05-21T15:51:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10763389
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I don't have that number in front of me right now. I'm happy to get that back to you. </p><p style="">That program is incredibly important. It is available through the financial institutions for the larger small businesses or the medium-sized businesses that need loans of up to $12 million, which is what that number is. However, that's actually a combination between EDC and BDC. </p></div>107633912020-05-21T15:52:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10763391
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">That's a very good question. You heard me talk earlier about how important it is to help and support businesses throughout this crisis, and during the restart it's no different. We have been working with the provinces to ensure that there is the appropriate guidance led through PHAC to make sure that this information gets out to businesses. </p><p style="">Canadian occupational health and safety—</p></div>107633932020-05-21T15:52:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10763393
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> My colleague, the procurement minister, has a supply council that the chambers and businesses sit on. They're working to ensure that the needs identified by business and other sectors are taken into account so that the Government of Canada continues to procure. You heard me talk about the made-in-Canada program and about how the private sector is standing up to create additional capability and supplies in the country. This entire effort is to ensure that there is the adequacy out there for our businesses.</p></div>107633962020-05-21T15:55:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10763396
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Small businesses absolutely are playing a role. As I said earlier, over 5,000 businesses have stood up and retooled to make masks, gowns, sanitizers, ventilators and a range of other needs. Those companies include small and medium-sized companies.</p><p style="">With regard to supply chains, it's really important that we continue to help our Canadian businesses so that they are export-ready and continue exporting. I have continued to do the work with countries in the G20 and G7 and with the CPTPP countries to ensure that we keep supply chains open so that goods and services continue to move, particularly for those that are essential and that require the movement of those goods beyond our borders. We're going to make sure that we continue that work to support our Canadian businesses, particularly the small businesses, in accessing those customers and those opportunities, whether they're domestic or abroad.</p><p style="">Right now, our focus has certainly been on making sure that Canadian companies have the support they need to weather this difficult period. Researchers and innovators are working together to develop a vaccine, and we're supporting those innovative businesses and researchers. </p><p style="">With regard to companies that are retooling, we're absolutely supporting them, and for the agricultural businesses that continue to move goods across Canada and into the international marketplace, we're ensuring that they are supported at this time, particularly through our incredible trade commissioner service.</p></div>107633992020-05-21T15:58:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10763399
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I'm really proud that the trade commissioner service has been hands-on in providing access to information about how our Canadian small and medium-sized businesses can continue doing their work in exporting and has been working with them to ensure that they can still do the exporting, as they are, and that they're supported through our many missions across the world.</p><p style="">I often say that the trade commissioner service is Canada's best sales force, operating in 160 offices. They're working virtually. They continue to help our Canadian exporters through this time. </p></div>107634022020-05-21T15:59:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 15:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10763402
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">That's such an important question. You're absolutely right. My department and I talk to businesses, and this issue for sure has been raised with us. I want to assure you that we are listening to those businesses and taking in their needs for additional support. We're going to keep doing this work to make sure they are supported, not only during this pandemic crisis right now but in their opening and restart.</p></div>107634062020-05-21T16:01:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 16:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10763406
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you so much for that question.</p><p style="">The answer is yes, of course. In fact, I'm drawing from some really good examples of what is happening already during this time. Those businesses that have been able to pivot and create a digital presence or a greater digital presence are able to offset some of the losses they're getting because of closing their doors. </p><p style="">I like telling the story of a great woman entrepreneur out of Atlantic Canada whose business had only been open for two months. It's a bakery business. She had to shut her doors, of course, because of the requirements, but here's what she did. </p><p style="">She shut her doors. She has five employees. She used the wage subsidy to be able to pay those employees, half of whom are bakers. She managed to take the CEBA loan, and with that CEBA loan paid the top-up of 25%, so her employees are whole. She also invested in a new online ordering system. A couple of her staff now are working on those order intakes and so forth. She's managed to be able to get additional revenue to supplement what she's not able to do in her front door business. That's but one example among many.</p><p style="">The answer is yes, and we're very much thinking about how we can further support businesses in this way.</p></div>107634082020-05-21T16:04:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - 2020-05-21Committee Evidence - FINA-30 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-05-21 16:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10763408
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you so very much for the opportunity.</p></div>107575582020-05-15T11:07:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10757558
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Good morning.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair and members of the committee, I am very pleased to join you today and to appear before this committee for the first time.</p><p style=""> We know that seniors are at increased risk of more severe outcomes from COVID-19 and are negatively impacted by the pandemic. They need our help and our support. As Minister of Seniors and member of the ad hoc committee on COVID-19, I am committed to ensure that seniors’ needs across Canada are carefully considered and addressed. Since the pandemic was declared, I have been in contact with my provincial and territorial counterparts. I have heard from many stakeholders, as well as the National Seniors Council. What I am hearing is informing the Government of Canada’s response to the pandemic.</p><p style="">To protect seniors' financial security during these uncertain times, the government has introduced the following measures. First, we are providing a one-time, tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for old age security, and an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the guaranteed income supplement. This means that low-income seniors who are eligible to receive both old age security and the guaranteed income supplement will receive $500 to help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19. A couple where both are receiving the GIS special payment and the GST credit special payment could receive, on average, a total of over $1,500 to help them cope with the pandemic.</p><p style="">In April, both low- and middle-income seniors received a supplementary payment under the GST credit worth an average of $375 for singles and an average of $510 for couples. We are reducing the minimum withdrawals from the registered retirement income funds by 25% for 2020. We have also adopted measures to ensure that guaranteed income supplement payments continue without interruption if a senior's 2019 income information has not been received. In addition, the government created the Canada emergency response benefit, CERB, to help all Canadians, including working seniors, with financial hardship as a result of the loss of employment income due to COVID-19. Pension benefits do not affect eligibility.</p><p style="">I want to address the situation in long-term care homes. As you know, seniors living in these facilities are the hardest hit in this pandemic. While long-term care is regulated by provincial and territorial governments, the federal government is working together, in a team Canada approach, to help residents and staff stay safe. We released interim guidelines for long-term care homes to prevent and control COVID-19 infections. We invested $2 billion to purchase personal protective equipment for essential health workers, including long-term care workers. We provided $3 billion to provinces and territories to increase the wages of low-income essential workers, such as long-term care workers. We deployed personnel from the Canadian Armed Forces to 25 long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario—20 in Quebec and five in Ontario. As the Prime Minister said, there are serious underlying challenges facing these facilities, and in the coming months the federal government will work alongside the provinces and territories to find lasting solutions.</p><p style="">Finally, the government is providing funding to support vulnerable Canadians, including seniors, with over half a billion dollars in funding to United Way Centraide Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada, local food banks and local food organizations. We are providing flexibility for $50 million of previously funded new horizons for seniors projects so that they can now use their funds to meet the needs seniors are facing due to COVID-19. We also announced an additional investment of $20 million in community projects that reduce isolation, improve seniors’ quality of life, and help them maintain the social support networks they so desperately need. </p><p style="">Thank you for the opportunity to present what the government has done to protect seniors during this difficult time.</p><p style="">To the chair and the committee, I want to give you a personal shout-out and thanks for the excellent work you're doing.</p><p style="">I'd be pleased to answer any questions.</p></div>107575622020-05-15T11:14:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10757562
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much. I want to say that it's very nice to be back in the committee forum with you. I really enjoyed working with you over so many years on the environment committee.</p><p style="">Those definitely are two things that we're hearing, along with many other suggestions that seniors are sending us and telling us they'd like us to consider. Those considerations that you have brought forward are ones that were being considered before the COVID pandemic. Obviously, for the government, our focus right now is to get money into the hands of seniors in need, especially our vulnerable seniors, to make sure they can deal with the very immediate cost increases they've seen, such as grocery and transportation costs going up and increases in medication dispensing fees. All of those things we've heard loud and clear, so the focus was to get the money into the hands of Canadian seniors who are in need right now.</p><p style="">On these other considerations, such as the stock market fluctuating up and down, we immediately addressed that with a 25% reduction in their mandatory withdrawals out of the RRIFs, and I have to say that we are keeping a close eye on what is going on with the market and also on seniors' needs across the country during this time.</p><p style="">We'll keep considering these suggestions and will keep them in mind as we move forward in dealing with the pandemic and its implications for and impacts on seniors.</p></div>107575662020-05-15T11:16:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10757566
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">I definitely have heard of the impacts. All industries, including our own government organizations and Canada Post, have been experiencing difficulties with people who get sick from COVID-19 and are having to stay home, with the implications of physical distancing that now need to be put into the workplace, and with working from home.</p><p style=""> Obviously, Canada Post is not going to have an environment of working from home. They're going to need to put practices into place. We've seen that they are working very hard to do that. Their intent is to make sure that the mail gets to customers as fast as possible, and they're working on those issues that have been identified recently. </p><p style="">For the government, in terms of making sure that Canadians, especially seniors, receive those important benefits that they need, we are encouraging them to do as much online banking as they can. You're absolutely right that there are those who don't, so we are doing everything we can to make sure that those cheques get to seniors who need them and that the programs we're implementing are as easy as possible. That's why we are not making our benefit such that someone has to apply, because that just makes it very complicated for those seniors who, as you mentioned, aren't online.</p></div>107575712020-05-15T11:18:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10757571
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much.</p><p style="">I just want to say that we are fully aware of the challenges [Technical difficulty—Editor].</p></div>107575762020-05-15T11:20:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10757576
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you for your advocacy. MPs like you have been writing and reflecting on the important messages they've been getting from their constituents. We've been hearing it also through the ministry, and I've been hearing it in my riding.</p><p style="">Seniors are really struggling with these additional costs and also with isolation. What we announced this week addresses these two things quite directly.</p><p style=""> We have made it very simple to access this benefit, in that you do not have to apply. If you are receiving OAS or are eligible for old age security, you will be receiving the $300 one-time special payment, and you don't have to apply. This is also true if you're receiving the guaranteed income supplement. You will get a special payment of an additional $200.</p><p style="">A couple on GIS, the guaranteed income supplement, will get $1,000 from this new measure we brought forward this week, along with the GST top-up from April that they would have received. On average, they would have received, as a couple, $510, so if you add the two, that's over $1,500 of immediate COVID-19 support. That is a significant help to seniors who are struggling with those additional costs.</p><p style="">To address the other issue, isolation, we've upped the new horizons for seniors money, which is money that goes directly to groups that are on the ground in communities serving seniors, helping them access those groceries and get those supplies. They need help. If they're in their homes and can't go out or are afraid to go out, now they have community support to help them.</p></div>107575802020-05-15T11:23:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10757580
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style=""> Thank you very much for that question. We've all been struck by the horrors we have seen in the news of seniors being negatively affected in these homes.</p><p style="">I just want to make a point that not all homes are challenged like this. There are many well-run homes, both private and public. I have my mother-in-law in a long-term care home and my father-in-law in a seniors residence. I can tell you that the staff there on the front lines supporting them are excellent, and they're well-run homes. Not every home is facing these challenges, but every home is working very hard to keep seniors safe, and you're definitely seeing that some are not doing well.</p><p style="">The federal government immediately wanted to provide support. This is regulated by provinces and territories. However, we've been there, as I mentioned, as a team Canada approach. Rather than wrangling over things, it was, “What do we need to do right now to keep the staff and the residents in these homes safe?” We immediately asked what we could do.</p><p style=""> I heard on my calls that what was needed was help in understanding the guidance needed to keep people safe. Very quickly, the Public Health Agency of Canada worked with the public health agencies across the country to come up with guidance to help these homes keep their residents and staff safe.</p><p style=""> We knew that there was an issue in acquiring personal protective equipment, with a world shortage in these supplies, so we worked 24-7 in engaging with all the resources we had to bring in as much PPE as possible, and we engaged with businesses in Canada that were looking at a built-in-Canada approach. Many have taken up the torch, and I give much credit to companies that have stepped in to start working on building PPE to support our essential workers, who are working so hard to keep us safe.</p></div>107575842020-05-15T11:27:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10757584
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much for your question. </p><p style="">While the government remains committed to implementing our policies and our platform commitments, at this time we are focusing on what we need to do to help seniors during the pandemic. This is why we have worked to do a very quick implementation of a one-time quick payment to get the money into the hands of our seniors quickly. That is why we did it this way, but you can be sure that the government remains committed to implementing the policies that were in our platform.</p></div>107575862020-05-15T11:29:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10757586
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style=""> I just want to say that the government has been watching very closely what has been happening to Canadians during this pandemic. We are focused right now on dealing with the best way to get Canadians through the impacts we're having as a result of the pandemic and as a result of the measures we've had to take to keep people safe and reduce the loss of lives. I'm very aware that there were increased costs. Seniors wrote, and we've been watching the market basket measures and looking to see what is actually going on, on the ground, with people who are trying to survive this pandemic. </p><p style="">What I can say is that we have seen that there are prices that have gone up. We saw the market drop. We've seen the market coming back up. We have seen prices go up, and now they're starting to stabilize and go down. We don't know what will happen as we move through the next few months. You can be sure that we're watching very closely what's happening and what measures may need to be done to help get Canadians, especially our seniors, through this.</p></div>107575882020-05-15T11:31:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10757588
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much for the question. I want to assure the member that this issue is one that my colleague the Minister of Health would probably be best to address, so the committee should probably invite her to come and join you.</p><p style="">We have been very supportive of the provinces during this pandemic to help address the increased costs. We gave over half a billion dollars to provinces and territories, at the very beginning of this, to assist them with the health care costs and to help them get ready to address the rising costs and the changes they would need to do in order to get the health care system ready for the pandemic. As I mentioned before, we put $2 billion on the table for protective equipment for essential workers, including those on the front lines in health care. We also provided $3 billion to the provinces and territories to help them with wage subsidies for those front-line workers, especially long-term care workers who needed to be properly compensated for working in the environment they're working in.</p><p style="">We've been putting a tremendous amount of money on the table to support the provinces and territories in the health sector. We'll continue to be there for the provinces and territories. You heard the Prime Minister. We're there with our military, actually going in and supporting 25 long-term care centres with people—</p></div>107575902020-05-15T11:33:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10757590
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107575952020-05-15T11:33:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10757595
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">As I mentioned before, this is probably a question that the committee should be inviting the Minister of Health to come and address. I am working in partnership with her to support the requests from the provinces for long-term care.</p><p style="">I've been talking to my colleagues in the provinces and territories to determine what assistance they need from us right now, because it is a crisis. It's not a crisis across the country. B.C. started off with an issue, and they took fast action—</p></div>107575972020-05-15T11:34:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10757597
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">I'm going to have to defer this question to the Minister of Health. I am working with her at this time to address the crisis today that we're seeing in some provinces with regard to long-term care.</p></div>107575992020-05-15T11:36:24-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10757599
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">There's quite a lot in your question to unpack. I just want to go back to the first point you made.</p><p style="">You can be darn sure that, as the Minister of Seniors and as a member of the COVID-19 committee, I am advocating very strongly that we support seniors in every way we can during this challenging time.</p><p style="">To address the issue you raised in terms of what we're doing for low-income seniors, I will say that, yes, we did support low- to modest-income seniors, along with other Canadians, with a GST top-up that came to $375—</p></div>107576012020-05-15T11:37:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10757601
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">What I can assure you is that we are addressing the urgent needs that are arising right now in long-term care. We are working in partnership with the provinces and territories, and we will be working with the provinces and territories after we get through this crisis to do an assessment of what needs to be done and how we can work together to get that done.</p></div>107576032020-05-15T11:38:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10757603
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">I want to remind the member that seniors are continuing to receive their benefits during this pandemic. Those who are on CERB have lost their income and don't have any.</p></div>107576052020-05-15T11:38:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10757605
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Seniors are in a different situation; they are already getting their benefits. What we have done is make sure that we got the money as quickly as possible into the hands of those low-income, vulnerable seniors, rather than give a small amount trickled out over many months. We made sure that we got it into their hands as quickly as possible, and this is in addition to the money they're already getting through their benefits. It's like putting apples and oranges together; it's not the same. </p><p style="">However, we did make CERB available to working seniors, because we know that many seniors are working later in life, so if they lost their jobs due to COVID-19, then they will also get the CERB.</p></div>107576072020-05-15T11:39:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10757607
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">The CERB is available to working seniors as well who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.</p></div>107576112020-05-15T11:41:03-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10757611
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much for that question. It is an important one.</p><p style="">Those who are on old age security, OAS, with an income of up to $80,000 will receive the full amount of old age security. Above that, they would have normally gotten a claw-back. That is 7% of the seniors who are on old age security. Just to make that clear, 6.7 million seniors are on old age security, and the majority of those, 93%, are living under the $80,000 cut-off limit. </p><p style="">I'm saying that it's not a lot of money. You're making it sound like rich people are getting this benefit. There is a very small number of people who may be getting this and who are deemed to be in more well-off circumstances, but the majority—as I said, over 90%—are seniors who are trying to cope with these additional costs that are making it difficult for them to put food on the table and make ends meet. </p><p style="">There are statistics and information that we've been getting about the incredible rise of seniors going to the food bank just to try to get enough food on the table, and they can't pay for the medicines they need. The most important thing was to get a payment as quickly as possible into the hands of those seniors who were struggling, and that was the objective of the government. It's why we had the one-time payment option go to old age security recipients and guaranteed income supplement recipients, so we didn't have to make them apply. You've already heard from some of your other committee members where some of those challenges are. We wanted to get it into the hands of the seniors. </p></div>107576132020-05-15T11:43:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10757613
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Well, we've done both. We've addressed those who are facing additional costs and struggling, and we've definitely given more money to those who are at a lower income. Those are people who are living on an income of under $18,600 yearly. They are on a guaranteed income supplement, so they are getting more. They're getting an additional $200. For a couple on guaranteed income supplements, that totals over $1,000 to help them get through the additional costs and cope with the COVID pandemic. </p><p style="">I'm not sure if the officials would like to chime in and give any more information. I'm certainly thinking that might be helpful. </p></div>107576162020-05-15T11:44:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10757616
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">We've put extra staff into Service Canada and into the areas that need to be able to work on getting these benefits out the door. We've been assigning staff accordingly within the department to try to help reduce those backlogs. There was a peak as new programs came on, then they evened out, and it's gotten better. We're very mindful, and we're keeping an eye on that and putting more resources where required so that Canadians and seniors can get the benefits they need.</p><p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107576202020-05-15T11:46:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10757620
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">We've come a long way. The government has been working since day one on improving the situation for seniors. You know that we did a GST top-up in our very early budget to try to help those very low-income and vulnerable seniors. There were too many seniors living in poverty, and through our measures, we've had a significant improvement in the circumstances of seniors across Canada. However, during this pandemic, we've seen again that seniors are struggling, especially our more vulnerable seniors. </p><p style="">This is why we did the program to provide the $300 for those on old age security, and an additional $200 as an improvement for the more vulnerable who are on the guaranteed income supplement. As I said before, the money they got in April for the GST top-up has helped a couple on the guaranteed income supplement by over $1,500 on average. That's a significant help for vulnerable seniors during this COVID pandemic.</p><p style="">What we haven't talked about is that there are a lot of seniors who are afraid to come out of their homes. They don't have access to public transit the way they used to, because they're afraid to use public transit. If they need to go somewhere, they're often taking a taxi. They're seeing a tremendous impact on their finances because they're having to spend more on the drugs they need. This was raised before by one of the members of the committee, that provinces are limiting the amount of drugs that people are able to have to one month, which means they now have additional dispensing fees. There is a long list of impacts that seniors are facing, and our vulnerable seniors are most affected.</p><p style="">One of the things we're doing is putting in significant investments in community organizations to help support seniors. We see so many organizations stepping up across the country specifically reaching out to seniors to make sure they get the groceries they need and to make sure they have a hot meal. This is coming through with over half a billion dollars that we have flowed into charities and supports for vulnerable Canadians, including seniors. </p><p style="">Part of our announcement this week was an additional $20 million of new horizons money, because we are always oversubscribed in the new horizons program where community groups want to help seniors. In this environment, I've been so impressed with the creativity that people have brought on how to bring seniors together, keeping them in their homes, keeping them safe, but making sure they feel a very connected part of the community.</p><p style="">I'll give you an example if you have the time.</p></div>107576242020-05-15T11:50:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10757624
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">And I'll give a shout-out to you.</p></div>107576272020-05-15T11:51:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10757627
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">There were two thoughts there, which I'll address.</p><p style="">You're absolutely right. There are many seniors who are isolating in their homes, doing exactly what they need to do to stay safe, especially if they have more complicated health challenges. </p><p style="">With the money for the new horizons for seniors program, the $9 million that we gave to United Way Centraide specifically to support seniors and the $50 million that we have generally provided to local organizations, I have seen a significant number of organizations pivot.... Well, maybe “pivot” is not the right word. They have modified their programs so they can get volunteers. You're right; seniors volunteer. They have time and enthusiasm, and they want to get involved. They want to share their wisdom and their knowledge, so they're usually the ones who are out volunteering to support seniors, and if they're staying home, then we don't have them. </p><p style="">We have been encouraging organizations to potentially hire students. You can see through the Canada summer jobs program that we've also put that into play, so that groups can hire students to help seniors, support them in their homes and keep them connected, train them on video equipment and get them iPads. These are things that we are allowing the new horizons for seniors money to be available for, and it's making a big difference in the lives of seniors today. It will also be helping some of our students get jobs and keeping people employed during this difficult time.</p><p style="">The other issue you raised was protective equipment. This is part of the push that the government has done to acquire as much protective equipment as we can so that we will have some stockpiles available for essential services. We're also engaging and ramping up the opportunity for businesses in Canada, putting orders in with them, getting them going, giving them their certifications and what's required so they can provide this equipment and start getting a national amount of PPE so that we can open up and get back to work safely.</p></div>107576292020-05-15T11:54:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10757629
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style=""> Most communities, most ridings, had new horizons money that came to organizations in January.</p><p style=""> On that money, we recently alerted those organizations that they had an opportunity to change their program. They didn't have to reapply if they met some new criteria in terms of supporting seniors in a different way, such as hiring volunteers, providing groceries and supports, providing equipment so that seniors could stay connected and getting volunteers to make phone calls and connect with seniors. These are things that the new horizons for seniors program is now allowing those in your community who had money in January to do today, to use that money in this way.</p><p style="">They have the opportunity to not do that and to wait until they can do their regular programming, because not everybody can change what they had in mind, but many are making those changes and providing the support they want to through these allowable categories. They don't need to reapply. They can just use the money right now, today.</p><p style="">That money is in communities on the ground already, and we've just added another $20 million to have organizations that didn't get the money before, but want to do that kind of work in communities, to be able to access additional funding to do that. You will see it on the ground even in those communities that don't have United Way Centraide or Red Cross, which is another group to which we have provided money to help seniors as well.</p><p style="">We've put $100 million on the table to food banks and food share programs, and they've have been distributing that money throughout the country as well through their food bank network.</p></div>107576322020-05-15T11:57:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10757632
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much.</p><p style="">Absolutely, these are the seniors we're concerned about, and we're concerned about their mental health. </p><p style="">Something that I haven't had a chance to mention yet is that we've launched a new online portal called Wellness Together Canada. That's ca.portal.gs. This is a portal that will help seniors to connect with those with the experience to be able to help them understand that they are not alone, even though they're isolated and it is a very scary time for them. It gives them the supports and the connections they need. That's so important at this time.</p><p style="">I do want to go back to the new horizons for seniors money that we've just announced and also to the money that is already in the communities through United Way Centraide and the new horizons for seniors regular organizations that have been supporting seniors. They have been incredibly creative. I was going to say this before with member Kate Young. We have seen incredible creativity. Let's just give you an example.</p><p style="">There is a program called HOPE. It has 150 seniors in the community who are part of its network. They usually get together twice a week to do yoga, and I think they make a lunch and have an education session on either diet or health—</p><p style="">Mr. Ryan Turnbull: Minister—</p><p style="">Hon. Deb Schulte: I'm sorry. Am I cutting off your time?</p><p style="">Anyway, I'm going off, but I just want you to know that we have been putting significant funding in the community and people have been picking it up, running with it and doing some incredible things to support seniors.</p></div>107576352020-05-15T11:59:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10757635
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">I would say.... I'm going to turn to my....</p></div>107576382020-05-15T11:59:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10757638
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">What we are doing right now is focusing on getting programs that are needed to support seniors at this time. So we are definitely focused on—</p></div>107576402020-05-15T12:00:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10757640
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">It's not exactly the same process that we normally have, but yes.</p></div>107576422020-05-15T12:00:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10757642
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Yes.</p></div>107576442020-05-15T12:00:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10757644
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">We should feel very proud of our record in delivering for seniors.</p></div>107576502020-05-15T12:03:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10757650
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much for the question.</p><p style="">I do want to share a little bit about the new horizons and the $20 million of additional funding that we have, and I do apologize if you did not get enough information. We did send emails out to organizations that are normally involved in the new horizons for seniors program to allow them to modify their programs to support seniors in communities. We also did alert MPs to get out there and see if they could help organizations to change their programs to be able to better support seniors. But we know that there were more organizations that wanted to do things supporting their community for seniors. This is why we brought the additional $20 million into effect this week. We will be looking at those organizations that already applied but did not get funding because there wasn't adequate funding and we will be reaching out to see if they're interested in changing their program to support the seniors today in a new COVID-19 forum, a new way, and if they are, these are the ways we will try to get the money out quickly to organizations to support seniors.</p></div>107576532020-05-15T12:05:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10757653
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">This is tax-exempt, so it's a one-time benefit that goes to seniors.</p></div>107576552020-05-15T12:05:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10757655
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">I do not believe there's going to be an impact on the qualifications for next year. I'll just turn to those who have the expertise, our officials.</p></div>107576572020-05-15T12:06:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10757657
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">My understanding is there's no impact to those on guaranteed income supplement because it's tax-free.</p></div>107576592020-05-15T12:06:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10757659
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to talk about this because there was another announcement made this week that we haven't had much discussion on.</p><p style="">We definitely recognize there are many seniors who have had difficulty doing their taxes, certainly many vulnerable seniors, so we wanted to make sure their benefits would continue. I can assure seniors who have been unable to get their taxes filed, we are not extending the tax filing deadline, it is still June 1, and we are encouraging all seniors to get their taxes done as soon as possible.</p><p style="">There's some new information that has come out this week to try to help them do it in a virtual way, and the CRA is going to be reaching out and trying to get as much help as possible to seniors for getting their taxes filed. What's really important is those filings need to be done so we can be sure seniors are getting the right benefits they need, and that's important.</p><p style="">However, we are not going to be cutting off benefits for seniors as long as they are able to get their filings done before October 1.</p></div>107576612020-05-15T12:08:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - 2020-05-15Committee Evidence - HUMA-11 - Hon. Deb Schulte (2020-05-15 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10757661
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SchulteDeb_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Deb Schulte</div><div style="font-size:1em;">King—Vaughan, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88799<p style="">Thank you very much to the committee. Again, you're doing amazing work, and I really appreciate the opportunity to come before you.</p><p style="">Have a great day.</p></div>107570122020-05-14T16:05:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10757012
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">I'll begin by thanking the members of the committee for their continuing work during these extremely challenging times, and thank you for the invitation to have me speak today at the committee.</p><p style="">As we all know, COVID-19 continues to pose significant risks to people's health, their way of life, and the economy as a whole. </p><p style="">Since the beginning of March, the measures implemented as part of Canada's COVID-19 economic response plan have been supporting Canadian workers grappling with this unprecedented crisis.</p><p style="">This whole-of-economy plan promotes economic stability and protects jobs. Our government's rapid, comprehensive response is providing over $150 billion in direct support to Canadians, to soften the economic impact of this crisis. This support will also help our economy recover once the crisis ends.</p><p style="">Ours is one of the most comprehensive plans in the G7. We've rolled out measures for workers and businesses across all economic sectors, for employers of all sizes. We're helping students who are trying to build careers, and parents trying to juggle the demands of the COVID crisis on their professional and family lives. </p><p style="">We've worked with provinces, territories and indigenous leaders. We're continuing to make sure that no one is left behind. The Canada emergency response benefit, which provides temporary income support to workers who've stopped working, is important. More than 7.8 million Canadians have applied for the CERB as of May 10. </p><p style="">We know that the pandemic has brought extra costs into the lives of seniors too and that they need some support as well. As one of our first measures, we announced a GST credit top-up that was delivered in April, which provided financial support to low- and modest-income Canadians, including over four million seniors. Eligible seniors received an average of $375 for single seniors and $510 for senior couples. </p><p style="">This week, the Prime Minister announced additional financial support to help our seniors. Canadians who receive the old age security pension will automatically get a tax-free payment of $300.</p><p style="">Those who receive the guaranteed income supplement will get an additional $200, tax free. These payments will go to support seniors. There are currently 6.7 million seniors who are eligible for the OAS pension and 2.2 million who are eligible for the GIS.</p><p style="">We've also invested in community support initiatives that help seniors. We've given $9 million to United Way Canada to provide practical services, such as delivering groceries and medications.</p><p style=""> We also announced an investment of $20 million in the new horizons for seniors program, which helps reduce isolation and provides social support for seniors. This support is now more critical than ever before. We've also announced virtual care in mental health tools for all Canadians through a new online portal called “Wellness Together Canada”. </p><p style="">In addition to supporting individual Canadians, we've provided significant support to Canadian businesses since the beginning of the crisis. We've implemented support for businesses across Canada that aren't eligible for other support measures, through the new regional relief and recovery fund. This new fund devotes nearly $962 million to help more businesses and organizations that are key to local economies, including rural economies. </p><p style="">Last week, we announced an investment of more than $252 million to support farmers, food businesses and food processors who make sure our grocery stores are stocked and are keeping Canadians fed. This complements our action in March to enable Farm Credit Canada to provide an additional $5 billion in lending to producers, agribusinesses and food processors. The government also intends to propose an additional $200 million in borrowing capacity for the dairy sector in particular. </p><p style="">This past Monday, we announced the expansion of the business credit availability program to mid-sized companies from across the economy with larger financing needs. In addition, we announced the large employer emergency financing facility to provide bridge financing to Canada's largest employers to help them get through this pandemic. These businesses employ millions of Canadians and we need them to stay strong. We'll protect workers by ensuring that companies that receive support through LEEFF respect any and all collective bargaining agreements, including pensions. We'll protect taxpayers by putting in place strict limits on executive pay, share buybacks and dividends. </p><p style="">We want to make sure this support is truly going to companies that contribute to Canada's economic well-being by making significant investments in this country. In considering a company's eligibility, we assess its international organizational structure and financing arrangements, as well as its employment, tax and economic activity in Canada. Recipient companies will be required to commit to certain objectives with regard to the disclosure of risks related to climate change and environmental sustainability.</p><p style="">Companies will not be able to get this financing if they've been convicted of tax evasion.</p><p style="">The government also announced a temporary top-up to the salaries of low-income essential workers that the provinces and territories have deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19. All provinces and territories have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, plans to cost-share wage top-ups for their essential workers. The Government of Canada will provide up to $3 billion to support this wage increase. </p><p style="">Since the beginning of this crisis, we've been focused on providing Canadians and Canadian businesses with the support they need to get through this crisis. We'll do whatever it takes. We'll get through these challenging times together.</p><p style="">Thank you very much.</p></div>107570152020-05-14T16:14:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10757015
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">The economic challenge we're facing obviously is significant and the investments we are making are significant. We believe those are in the best interests of the economy and will keep our economy strong.</p></div>107570172020-05-14T16:14:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10757017
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well, as I said, we're making significant investments to support the strength of our economy. The rating agency looks at the strength of the economy. We believe making those investments will support a strong economy as we come out of this. </p></div>107570192020-05-14T16:14:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10757019
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">As you may know, I'm not the debt-rating agency. What I can tell you is we are making investments to make sure our economy is strong. That is the fundamental determinant of how successful we are as a country.</p></div>107570212020-05-14T16:14:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10757021
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">We have been providing, as you know, reports through to this committee. The report you received most recently is giving you a comprehensive understanding of the investments we are making.</p><p style="">As we have the information we—</p></div>107570232020-05-14T16:14:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10757023
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Mr. Chair, is there an approach—</p></div>107570252020-05-14T16:15:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10757025
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">— which is one—</p></div>107570292020-05-14T16:15:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10757029
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107570322020-05-14T16:17:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10757032
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">I think, Mr. Chair, the response will be roughly the same amount of time as the question.</p><p style="">In fact, what I identified yesterday was the actual spending on the Auditor General in the last full fiscal year in which the previous Harper government was in office, which was—</p></div>107570352020-05-14T16:17:24-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10757035
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">—which was $85.8 million versus the latest full year that we have reported out from the 2018-19 year, which was $92.4 million. Really, I'm just trying to identify the fact that the spending that has been put forth for the Auditor General has increased.</p><p style="">We certainly support the Auditor General and the important work he is doing and will do for our country, and we'll continue to provide the appropriate level of support for that function. </p></div>107570372020-05-14T16:18:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10757037
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well again, Mr. Chair, the way the process works, as it does for all things that we go through financially, is we look at the requests and we look at the appropriate expenditures for each different function.</p><p style="">We'll continue to take that prudent approach and, as you can see, we have increased—</p></div>107570412020-05-14T16:19:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10757041
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">As I've said, we will continue to fund Parliament appropriately. We will continue to respect the requests of all agents of Parliament and come forth with funding that we believe is appropriate based on the needs and their representation.</p></div>107570442020-05-14T16:19:49-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10757044
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well, I think, as you know, Mr. Poilievre, we've provided you with information on all of the programs we've put out—</p></div>107570462020-05-14T16:19:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10757046
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Clearly, what we've been trying to achieve is a program that can help the broadest number of Canadians possible—</p></div>107570492020-05-14T16:20:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10757049
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Yes, as I said, we are trying to get to the broadest number of Canadians, and we'll have an approach to audit and people who are fraudulent will be dealt with in the strictest of fashions.</p></div>107570512020-05-14T16:20:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10757051
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well, again, I will go back—</p></div>107570532020-05-14T16:20:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10757053
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">—to our objective here, which is to make sure that we are getting the support to the broadest number of Canadians impacted by COVID-19, and obviously we're very encouraged that the programs are having such—</p></div>107570572020-05-14T16:22:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10757057
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Thank you.</p><p style="">I think what we're seeing across the country in many, many different sectors, whether it be in business sectors or in levels of government, is really significant stress. So many people are impacted and so many things that we take as normal activities are impacted by the coronavirus challenge, so it is not a surprise that we're seeing some stresses at the municipal level. Obviously, our support of people has been critically important, because that's important for the municipal level. Our support of businesses is important, in terms of those businesses and municipalities.</p><p style="">I do think it's appropriate what you said in your remarks—that municipalities do work with provinces. I think it's important for us to say that we expect for that continuing relationship to stay strong and for provinces to be the funders for municipalities.</p><p style="">That said, we do know that we all need to work together in facing up to this challenge, and we are endeavouring to do that. When we get requests, we consider them carefully, because that's appropriate at this challenging time. This request, like all others, we'll be considering carefully, knowing, of course, that it's also critically important for the provinces to be stepping forward in that regard.</p></div>107570592020-05-14T16:24:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10757059
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style=""> Well, I would start by saying it's pretty clear that the federal government has led the way. The federal investments on behalf of people and businesses have been extremely significant. You've seen the direct support now—as I mentioned in my opening remarks—that's in excess of $150 billion. </p><p style="">There's very significant support from the federal government. It is true that the federal government had a strong fiscal position going into this, and we remain capable of dealing with this challenge on behalf of Canadians.</p><p style="">That said, I know that provinces also have the capacity to be an important part of this effort. We are seeing provinces recognize that. They're putting forward programs, in some cases, and that is also important.</p><p style="">The kinds of things we've done, which have been supporting provinces with things like the essential worker top-up or the support for commercial rent—both areas that are really provincial—have been important. The Bank of Canada supporting the issuance of debt from the provinces has been critically important for them in having access to capital. </p><p style="">We've provided significant support. We'll need to continue to work together on the challenges we face, and we need to consider different jurisdictions and levels of government as we move forward appropriately.</p></div>107570612020-05-14T16:26:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10757061
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">I think it is an important question. We are seeing that this challenge is hitting different segments of the population differently. It's hitting low-income workers, in many cases, in a more difficult way than higher-income workers, because many of those workers are losing hours, or the jobs they were occupying are not going on during the course of the COVID-19 crisis. </p><p style="">That was why the emergency response benefit was so important. We knew there were 5.7 million Canadians not attached to an employer who were initially going to be hit, and many of those workers have gone on the CERB.</p><p style="">As part of the recovery, fundamentally what we needed to do was protect those people, and then protect the companies through wage subsidies and credits so that those companies will be around to rehire and to expand afterwards. </p><p style="">Really, it's emergency support for people, and providing a bridge for companies so we can come out of this with a capacity for people to go back to their old jobs—I hope—or, in some cases, move to new jobs that will be there because we've supported businesses.</p></div>107570652020-05-14T16:28:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10757065
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Mr. Ste-Marie, could you tell me which program you're referring to?</p></div>107570672020-05-14T16:29:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10757067
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Thank you.</p><p style="">Our approach focused on coming up with programs for small businesses, like the Canada emergency business account, which offers $40,000 loans.</p><p style="">We know that some companies won't qualify for the program due to their size and status. You mentioned another program that will help businesses that are still struggling. It's a unique program that was designed for small businesses forced to tackle a new challenge, a challenge that didn't exist before. We're going to continue with the credit approach for small businesses.</p><p style="">I hope we'll be able to give more details in the coming days.</p></div>107570692020-05-14T16:30:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10757069
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Our approach for this program is to go through the regional development agencies, and that's why each one has a certain amount to administer. Also, the application process is clear, which is important.</p><p style="">But there will be other programs too, and this is just one of the measures we're taking to help small businesses.</p></div>107570712020-05-14T16:31:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10757071
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">We don't have packages specific to any particular company or sector. Rather, we've proposed a financing opportunity for large companies. Any company in any sector will be able to apply if it needs to. Our approach will require the company to explain its situation and how it will meet our conditions, which will be identical for every company, regardless of sector. We don't have an approach for any specific airline. Our approach is the same for all companies.</p></div>107570732020-05-14T16:32:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10757073
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">We believe transparency is very important. That's why you received a 30-page report today outlining our measures. We're making an effort to stay transparent. This crisis is obviously still in flux, and it's hard to make projections right now. We'll be able to do more once things stabilize.</p></div>107570792020-05-14T16:35:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10757079
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">There were a number of statements there, so maybe I can start with the first premise.</p><p style="">We've taken the view that what we need to do during the COVID-19 crisis is to make sure we're helping the people and the businesses impacted by this crisis. That's why our programs have been specifically directed towards those people.</p><p style="">I think what can be seen in application is that our approach is having exactly the desired impact. The emergency response benefit is a good example. There are now more than 7.5 million Canadians who have come onto this program, so we're seeing a very significant application. Through the emergency business account 600,000 businesses are now getting this $40,000 small business loan. The broad support is there. It's specifically targeted to the businesses or individuals needing it.</p><p style="">With respect to the direct question at the end, on the large employer emergency financing facility, we see that's quite important to help businesses that employ many Canadians to bridge through this time. We've done that, but we've put conditions. I think what you'll see is that our conditions are as strict as or stricter than those in other countries. We are, in fact, not allowing share buybacks or dividends for companies that come forward on this. We are going to have limitations on executive compensation, which I will be able to roll out as we work through those, that will be as strict as or stricter than those in other countries. Similarly, we've said that businesses need to protect workers through collective bargaining responsibilities and pensions.</p><p style="">We see these conditions as critically important. We see preserving our economy as critically important. We think this will help.</p></div>107570812020-05-14T16:38:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10757081
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well, I think it's important to consider the aspects of this program that will guard against these challenges. You just pointed out one. Of course, companies that are convicted of tax evasion will not be eligible. But we've also been working together internationally to make sure the ability of companies to move money around, what's called base erosion and profit shifting, is more limited. That's actually reducing the scope for people to do the things without actually causing themselves to run afoul of the laws. That has been an important part of what we're doing.</p><p style="">Also, the condition in this new large enterprise facility will be that the money that goes is actually required to be used for Canadian operations, Canadian investments and protecting Canadian workers. That's an explicit condition of what we're doing here.</p><p style="">We've guarded against this, Peter, in multiple ways. Obviously, the work we've been doing for years has been reducing the ability of firms to do this. We're limiting it to those firms that have not run afoul of the law, and we're also focusing the investments, so they must be in Canada, for Canadian investments and for Canadian employees. Fundamentally we're trying to make sure that Canadian employment at these large organizations stays vibrant as we go through this challenging time.</p></div>107570842020-05-14T16:40:23-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10757084
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style=""> As I mentioned in French to Gabriel, we are providing significant information to this committee, and as the situation— </p></div>107570862020-05-14T16:41:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10757086
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">I think that what we recognize is important is that we make the kinds of investments to get us through this time period, and we do it while presenting to Canadians every step along the way exactly what we're doing so they can understand it. So—</p></div>107570892020-05-14T16:41:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10757089
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well, as I was saying, we believe that it's really important for us to support Canadians during this time and to give a clear understanding of that support, including the costs of it. As that situation is more stable, there will be more information that will be provided.</p></div>107570952020-05-14T16:42:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10757095
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">In fact, what we're doing is making sure that as we provide these supports we are providing an understanding of the programs' costs and, as you know, updating this committee— </p></div>107570992020-05-14T16:42:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10757099
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">—and we're providing on a regular basis updates on how these programs are moving forward. It's a very fluid situation. We will provide more information as—</p></div>107571042020-05-14T16:44:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10757104
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Let me first of all say that we are very worried about people like the gentleman you're talking about. That's why we've been so focused on providing supports to businesses, not only for their employees but for their business going forward.</p><p style="">We are working to make sure that these programs are available as broadly as possible. Our emergency business account, which is providing loans of $40,000 to businesses, has now been taken up by an enormous number of small businesses—about 600,000, representing about $23 billion.</p><p style="">We recognize that there are still situations that are difficult. We are looking at how we can consider expanding that criteria to potentially capture businesses like the one that you're talking about, but we will not be able to capture every single challenge. That's the nature of this crisis. We're working hard to make sure, though, that the programs that we do have are having the broadest possible impact.</p><p style="">I will continue to focus on that, making adjustments as we go along so that we can support people like the one that you're identifying through measures that work, and thinking about, for those who fall through the cracks, whether there are other ways that we can be supportive.</p></div>107571862020-05-14T16:47:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10757186
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style=""> Our impact on climate change as a country is something that we take seriously. I've been working on this issue with my colleagues. We had a committee that did some work on sustainable finance a little more than a year ago. That gave some recommendations on how large businesses in particular could represent their climate impact in their financial disclosures and talk about how climate change could impact their businesses.</p><p style="">We see this as an important thing for businesses to consider. Many firms have moved forward in this regard, which is quite encouraging, including firms in all different sectors of the economy.</p><p style="">We saw that as something that was important for us to recognize. We needed it to be a condition for this program. We additionally know that our goals around the decarbonization of our environment by 2050 are important to Canadians. They are important to the world. We thought we needed to put that as an overall Canadian goal.</p><p style="">As we think about the large enterprise financing, which is protecting jobs and protecting businesses, we want to make sure that those businesses and those jobs are sustainable. That's how we got to the conclusion that this was going to be an important part of that consideration.</p></div>107571882020-05-14T16:49:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10757188
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">First of all my message would be to landlords. I think this is a really important program that will be supportive of landlords, and I think they should take advantage of this.</p><p style="">What we have seen, for landlords, is that many tenants cannot pay their rent. If they have a commercial tenant who can't pay rent, then they are much better off to get 75% of that rent—so 25% from the tenant and 50% guaranteed by the government—than to get potentially zero. That is a huge advantage for landlords. For tenants, obviously it's a huge advantage, because they can decrease their rent payment because of the support from government. That is my message. </p><p style="">This is a program that is just being rolled out. Of course, there are always concerns. It won't work for every single situation. The landlord-commercial tenant relationship is a provincial jurisdiction. We are trying to help to make this work by stepping in through the mortgage system. We think this can have a really big and important impact on small business in our country, and I would encourage landlords to be a part of it. I would encourage commercial tenants and landlords to work together to get through this. </p><p style="">Obviously, it will be helpful for all of us if those stores, which are making our lives so vibrant, remain along our streets when we get through this COVID-19 situation.</p></div>107571912020-05-14T16:51:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10757191
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">I think, Julie, you're pointing out an important question that we need to answer, which is how do we move into the next phase? The Prime Minister has talked about extending the wage subsidy. We think that is a step, but we're going to need to think about how that system, our emergency response benefit and our employment insurance system work together, creating the right incentives for people to get back to work, creating the right support so that businesses will bring people back on. We're working through that now.</p><p style="">I think we all know what the goal is. The goal is to get people back to work, to get people into those jobs that are available and to create new jobs as we move forward. That's what we're working towards.</p></div>107571932020-05-14T16:53:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10757193
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Let me just be clear on behalf of the government. We designed these programs with an attestation that allows people to get into the program based on some pretty clear facts. That was in order to facilitate getting money out to a very large number of Canadians in a rapid way. The fact that there are some people who are committing fraud or that there are accidents is a problem. We're going to have to come back to those problems.</p><p style="">For those people who are committing fraud, that's not acceptable. We are going to come back. We are going to have to deal with that, and that will be dealt with. I would encourage people to be fair and honest in their attestations. Not being so will have ramifications for them afterwards.</p></div>107571952020-05-14T16:55:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - 2020-05-14Committee Evidence - FINA-28 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-05-14 16:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10757195
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Well, thank you. Thanks to everyone on here. Take care. </p></div>107479052020-05-11T18:05:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10747905
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style=""> Thank you, Chair.</p><p style=""> Colleagues, hello, aaniin and as-salaam alaikum. I hope you are safe. I hope you are well in whichever corner of this great country you find yourselves.</p><p style="">I'm pleased to join you live from the basement of my home in my community of Peterborough—Kawartha, a mixed rural-urban riding. Like many Canadians, including you, I am adjusting to a different work and home reality. </p><p style="">Like you, I am thankful to our public health experts and front-line workers, and community leaders, the innovators who are helping us adapt and cope, and for neighbours who care for each other in these times. I am thankful to the PSWs and the early childhood educators, the technicians, nurses, midwives, doctors, grocery store clerks and women's organizations, who are putting everything on the line to keep the rest of us safe. </p><p style="">Many thanks to my own team, and of course, to our IT essential workers.</p><p style="">Unlike millions of Canadians, though, I don't have little ones running around all day to care for and to nurture, since day cares and schools closed. It's hard on many parents, as it is for the children. Like my niece, Ellia, who will celebrate her fourth birthday in two weeks, I miss hugging my loved ones and want the coronavirus to “go away”. Like my niece Leila, who will turn 11 next month, I miss my friends and want to return to when I could see them regularly, in person.</p><p style="">Like 86% of Canadians, I benefit from access to high-speed Internet, but in some parts of Peterborough—Kawartha, and in many other ridings across the country, access to high-speed Internet is limited. Under the connect to innovate program, our government has approved projects that will connect close to 400,000 households to high-speed Internet, but the job is not yet complete. I want Canadians to know that in addition to the immediate work we're undertaking to support them through these challenging times, we remain focused on ensuring access to high-speed Internet for the two million Canadians who don't have that access today. In fact, COVID-19 has added greater urgency to this important work.</p><p style="">I'm here today to discuss our government's plan for connecting more Canadians to high-speed Internet, what we've learned from previous programs and to assure Canadians that we are on it. Our government is committed to connecting all Canadians to broadband by 2030 and we've created the conditions to get this done.</p><p style="">Our plan, the first of its kind for Canada, was developed in partnership with Canadians from across the country. It includes a $6-billion incentive for private sector investments, and to ensure the success of this plan, we established a minister responsible for rural economic development and the centre for rural economic development to coordinate the work across the federal government with our partners in provinces, territories, individual communities, indigenous leadership and within the private sector.</p><p style="">Our plan is working. Our connect to innovate program is investing $585 million to connect close to 400,000 households across 975 communities. We designed the program to be accessible to different types of Internet service providers. One-third of the funding has gone to the big three telcos, with one-third to smaller providers and another third for indigenous-led organizations.</p><p style="">Connect to innovate program projects have already brought high-speed Internet to 25,000 households. Over 50,000 households across 150 communities that don't currently have high-speed Internet will have access by the end of this year. By the end of next year, over 250,000 households that don't currently have access to high-speed Internet will. That's across 750 communities. By 2022, close to 400,000 households across 972 communities that today have no access to high-speed Internet will be connected, with a baseline speed of 50/10 megabits per second or better. That includes 190 indigenous communities.</p><p style="">These results only speak to the investments made through the connect to innovate program. They don't include households and communities that will be connected through funding delivered by the CRTC, through the low-earth orbit satellite funding, or because of additional investments made via the Canada Infrastructure Bank or other federal programs.</p><p style=""> The new $1-billion universal broadband fund will build on this success, coordinate programs and connect more Canadians to high-speed Internet. We have learned from the connect to innovate program, and will build on that knowledge in our design of the new universal broadband fund. </p><p style="">For example, the hexagon model to track and map connectivity across the country is no more. We now have the ability to track household connectivity status to within 250 metres. Greater precision will allow applicants to submit more targeted projects and will connect underserved Canadians. You can see this for yourself through our new broadband connectivity map, at Canada.ca/getconnected.</p><p style=""> Earlier this year, Minister Bains announced that we were setting aside spectrum for smaller communities and ISPs in the upcoming spectrum auction. Fifty megahertz of spectrum will be carved out for small and regional telecom companies to support higher speeds, increased data usage and new applications. This will encourage competition in the wireless market and ensure smaller companies are on a more equal footing with the big three national carriers.</p><p style="">We are pursuing innovative partnerships to connect more Canadians to high-speed Internet, faster. Through the $750-million fund provided through the CRTC, we will focus on delivering high-speed backbone along major roadways. Through a partnership with Telesat, our government is investing up to $600 million to provide satellite-based high-speed Internet to some of Canada's hardest-to-reach households in remote and northern communities. Funding available through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Infrastructure Canada and Indigenous Services Canada will further leverage investments, bringing additional partners to the table.</p><p style="">Colleagues, I've shared with you what we are doing. Let me address why we are doing it. </p><p style="">What motivates me, and what motivates our government, is the fundamental belief that the rights enjoyed by Canadians should not be defined by geography. Canadians in rural and remote parts of our country need to have the same opportunities to access government and private sector services as Canadians who live in larger centres. Providing Canadians with access to high-speed Internet will help close gaps caused by geography and increase equality of access to health, education and employment in a digital economy. It will help us build better as we recover from COVID-19. </p><p style="">Building this ribbon of fibre is the modern-day equivalent of the ribbon of steel that Sir John A. Macdonald built to stitch our country together. We realized that national dream with the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885, and it seems in 2020 that we are united with a renewed national vision for universal access to high-speed Internet. Like the building of the railroad, partnerships are needed to accomplish this task, but make no mistake: We believe in the role of government to lead Canadians in this effort. Now is not the time for low ambition and absolution of responsibility. Now is the time for government to invest in our collective recovery, to future-proof and be ready for new technology, to bridge the rural-urban divide and to connect all Canadians. </p><p style="">Colleagues, we have had a plan, and now, because of COVID-19, it is even more urgent we proceed quickly. I want to assure Canadians that we get it, we are on it and we will work with every willing partner to achieve our shared goals. </p><p style="">Thank you colleagues, and Chair Romanado.</p><p style="">Back to you for further discussion.</p></div>107479482020-05-11T18:33:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10747948
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Thank you to MP Erskine-Smith. You are absolutely right. This pandemic has hit women hardest.</p><p style="">Women are the majority of those in long-term care. They're the majority of those who have tested positive. They're the majority of those on the front lines of this effort. Sixty-two per cent of the jobs lost due to COVID-19 in March were women's jobs, often low-paid, and often lost by racialized women. Women have also been called out of the workforce because day cares are closed, because schools are closed. Unlike other recessions, this economic recovery is going to require supporting women specifically. Studies show that during the 2008 recession, women with children were the last to recover from that recession.</p><p style="">In addition to supports through the Canada child benefit, in addition to the 40-plus thousand child care spaces that we helped support in our previous mandate, the Prime Minister has mandated me and Minister Hussen to set up a child care secretariat and to build a foundation for better access to child care for all Canadians. COVID-19 further highlights the need and the urgency around that commitment.</p></div>107479502020-05-11T18:34:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10747950
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style=""> I can assure all colleagues and Canadians that we are working not just with haste within the Government of Canada, but we are pulling in smart experts, economists and feminists from around the country to get it done and get it done right.</p></div>107479582020-05-11T18:39:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10747958
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Yes, and it has been.</p></div>107479602020-05-11T18:39:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10747960
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style=""> We put forward, in 2019, the first plan in Canada's history to connect every community to high-speed Internet. We've set aside $6 billion to date to get it done, and I can assure my colleague that our goal is to expedite the timeline as much as we can, particularly post-COVID.</p></div>107479622020-05-11T18:41:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10747962
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Our plan hasn't been developed on the back of a napkin. It has been developed with partners across the country. It has been shaped by the feedback of colleagues such as Gudie Hutchings from the really small communities, colleagues from Quebec, colleagues from every corner of the country and from Canadians themselves. </p><p style="">Our dollars are meant to incent private sector investments. It's to our economic benefit to get this done and to get it done quickly. It's also part of the equity equation that all of us are working hard to address. Therefore, I can assure my colleague that we are on it. Now more than ever, the urgency to get this done quickly is apparent. </p></div>107479642020-05-11T18:42:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10747964
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">The investments we've put forward so far are meant to connect about 400,000 households. The $6 billion invested is going to get us closer to it. We estimate that about $8 billion is required, and our private partners, as well as provinces, territories and indigenous partners, are helping to further strengthen the federal investments made.</p><p style="">I want to let my colleague know, though, that this requires all players, all hands on deck, but it requires a strong role to be played by the federal government and we have been and will continue to play that strong role. </p></div>107479662020-05-11T18:43:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10747966
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">My colleague and I agree that the federal government plays a leadership role. We are playing that role. That money has been invested. Since budget 2016, we have been adding to it, and there are tens of thousands of households that have access to the Internet today that didn't before we formed government.</p><p style="">By the end of this year, there will be an additional 50,000 households connected to the Internet. By the end of next year, there will be an additional 250,000 households connected to the Internet. By the end of 2022, there will be 400,000 households connected in nearly 1,000 communities, including 190 indigenous communities. This is something that should have been done decades ago, but we are on it, and we are on it with great urgency.</p></div>107479692020-05-11T18:45:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10747969
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">No, I don't specifically. I think my deputy is on the line and he'd be happy to share that.</p></div>107479712020-05-11T18:45:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10747971
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">No, but I'm sure you do, MP Masse.</p></div>107479732020-05-11T18:45:49-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10747973
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Budget 2019 set aside over $1 billion both for the universal broadband fund and for the investments we're making in low-earth orbit satellites.</p></div>107479752020-05-11T18:46:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10747975
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Madam Chair, if my colleague wishes to discuss spectrum, I highly encourage him to either connect with our officials or speak with Minister Bains, who has the lead on the spectrum file.</p></div>107479772020-05-11T18:46:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10747977
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">I think I spent a paragraph talking about spectrum, but okay.</p></div>107479792020-05-11T18:47:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10747979
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">We have invested more in connecting Canadians to high-speed Internet than any other government. If my colleague is suggesting that we are holding back in any way, I want to assure him that he is wrong. </p><p style="">I also want to remind him—</p></div>107479812020-05-11T18:48:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10747981
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">We are working to connect Canadians, and I want to remind my colleague that he voted against the funding we set aside to connect Canadians to high-speed Internet. </p></div>107479852020-05-11T18:49:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10747985
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Where the funds go is to the consolidated revenue fund, firstly, and he knows this because as he's said, he's been around. </p><p style="">Second, we are investing heavily to connect as many Canadians as possible. That plan is working. There is no plan to hold back. If anything, because of COVID-19, we are accelerating those investments. </p><p style="">It's great to see this level of passion, Madam Chair. We're going to need it, and cross-party support, to further accelerate investments. </p></div>107479872020-05-11T18:51:03-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10747987
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">No, we're not.</p></div>107479902020-05-11T18:51:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10747990
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">We don't, and as my colleague knows with two projects in his own riding well under way because of our investments, we are seizing every moment to connect as many Canadians as possible. </p><p style="">Broadband infrastructure projects take time. We're building the type of infrastructure that can be future-proof, so that it can support additional technological investments. Our government sees this as an economic imperative, as well as one to address inequality across the country.</p></div>107479922020-05-11T18:52:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10747992
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Canada.ca/getconnected allows communities across the country to test their Internet speed. It allows for a comprehensive map, which is a significant tool for communities to apply for these projects. We are working to further fine-tune our efforts, as well as our tools, to make sure that more Canadians, particularly those in smaller communities without as much capacity to get grant writing and projects under way, are able to access and provide that service to their communities.</p></div>107479942020-05-11T18:53:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10747994
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">The universal broadband fund isn't open yet. However, Canada.ca/getconnected is where folks can go now and where information about programs will be once the universal broadband fund opens.</p></div>107479962020-05-11T18:54:26-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10747996
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Yes. My colleague is referring to the hexagon model, which we heard from stakeholders was leaving too many underserved communities out of the scope, so we've now changed the maps so that the radius they cover is within 250 metres. These are more accurate and will lead to more Canadians getting connected.</p></div>107479982020-05-11T18:55:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10747998
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">It's a high-quality map. It has been improved, and if folks are looking for applications and announcements, go to Canada.ca/getconnected. You'll be able to do that speed test, you'll be able to see that map, and you'll be able to get connected to other programs, such as through the CRTC fund, which is accepting applications right now.</p></div>107480002020-05-11T18:55:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10748000
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">I think low-earth orbit satellites are going to be needed to connect harder-to-reach communities, particularly in rural, remote and more northern communities. There is a set of tools, though, and high-quality fibre is a big part of our plan.</p></div>107480022020-05-11T18:56:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10748002
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Yes, and it's good to see us on the same page. </p></div>107480052020-05-11T18:57:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 18:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10748005
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, MP Longfield.</p><p style="">It was probably a lifetime ago, but it was only March 3 when Minister Bains announced that he would be setting aside 50 megahertz in the next spectrum auction to provide a more equal footing for those smaller ISPs, to provide greater support, greater speeds and greater capacity for new applications for smaller communities that right now don't have that access.</p><p style=""> He based that decision on what we heard from industry and what we heard across the country, and many thanks to the committee for their work. We've seen that what this has done in the past is that it's increased the way smaller communities can be connected and enhanced it by about 50%.</p></div>107480152020-05-11T19:02:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10748015
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">We've set aside investments to connect close to 400,000 households. Just under the connect to innovate program 25,000 have been connected. This year 50,000 will be connected.</p></div>107480172020-05-11T19:03:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10748017
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">I will pull that up for you right now.</p><p style="">By the end of next year over 50,000 households across 150 communities that don't currently have high-speed Internet will have access.</p></div>107480192020-05-11T19:03:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10748019
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Yes. They will be mostly communities that are considered rural or remote, but that also includes communities that are really close to urban centres but don't have access. That includes backbone as well as last-mile investments.</p></div>107480212020-05-11T19:04:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10748021
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">There are communities, like my own, that weren't connected to the kind of cell service that would provide accessibility and, particularly, safety. With projects like the EORN project, for example, we are working to address those cell gaps, because they are a matter of safety as well as a matter of economic growth.</p></div>107480232020-05-11T19:04:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10748023
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">That is an excellent question.</p><p style="">Rural includes resource-dependent communities. It includes agricultural communities. It includes those that are close to urban centres but have a mix of both rural and urban. It includes many indigenous communities. Well over 40% of Atlantic Canada is considered rural. Actually, if you want to get into a philosophical discussion about what rural is, I just hosted a round table with experts across the country last week, and there's no clear consensus.</p><p style="">For the purposes of connectivity, we are defining rural as areas without access to 50/10.</p></div>107480362020-05-11T19:11:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10748036
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style=""> Madam Chair, I'd like to thank MP Hutchings for her question and for her leadership. She brings the lens of small rural communities to the table, and it is a perspective that is appreciated and very helpful.</p><p style="">Colleagues on this call may disagree, but the philosophical approach to invest.... Colleagues like MP Masse believe that government should take on 100% of the cost. Some colleagues believe that the private sector should shoulder the cost. We, as Liberals, believe—</p></div>107480392020-05-11T19:12:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10748039
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">We believe that government plays a big role in connecting Canadians. We believe in the role that the private sector plays, as well as other orders of government. Funds that go to the consolidated revenue fund go to health transfers, to social transfers. They fund other priorities.</p></div>107480492020-05-11T19:16:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10748049
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style=""> Madam Chair, as a woman in politics committed to addressing those inequalities, I share my colleague's concerns and I most certainly share his need to address the inequality gaps.</p><p style="">To his question around ensuring supports for the most vulnerable, that's been the priority of our government in the response—</p></div>107480512020-05-11T19:17:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10748051
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Madam Chair, as I was saying, even before COVID we were committed to addressing those vulnerabilities. We lifted a million Canadians out of poverty. We provided affordable housing to a million households. We cut the child poverty rate by—</p></div>107480532020-05-11T19:18:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10748053
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Madam Chair, MP Masse has been around for a long time, as he says, but he's never seen a crisis like this. We are doing everything we can to support as many Canadians as possible in these unprecedented times.</p></div>107480752020-05-11T19:29:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10748075
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Madam Chair, I understood the question. It is a pretty important question, so I'll leave it to you to determine how much time I have to answer it.</p></div>107480772020-05-11T19:30:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10748077
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">Madam Chair, if there is a woman suffering abuse in her home right now and you're talking to her via Zoom, there is a hand signal that's been created by the Canadian Women's Foundation. If you see this signal, you can check in on her, or you can connect to a shelter in your community or a women's organization and get her the help. </p><p style="">We're supporting over 400 shelters and over 150 sexual assault centres across the country, in addition to those in Quebec, so if you're suffering in silence and you think that right now there's nowhere to go, there are thousands of Canadians across the country whose doors are open to you. They will keep you and your loved ones safe. You don't have to stay in an abusive relationship.</p></div>107480802020-05-11T19:31:24-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - 2020-05-11Committee Evidence - INDU-14 - Hon. Maryam Monsef (2020-05-11 19:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10748080
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MonsefMaryam_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Maryam Monsef</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Peterborough—Kawartha, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88922<p style="">I have to go, Madam Chair.</p></div>107449432020-05-08T11:09:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10744943
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Chair, I'll begin by thanking you and the members of this committee for the opportunity to join you this morning.</p><p style="">This is not only my first appearance before HUMA, but also my first address in this new virtual era of Parliament. I hope that all of you, your families and staff are keeping well and healthy.</p><p style="">It has been a period of great transition for all of us and I commend this committee for continuing its important work.</p><p style="">We convene at an unprecedented moment in our history. COVID-19 poses one of the gravest risks that Canada and the rest of the world have seen in many generations, yet we have come together to meet the challenge. </p><p style="">No one deserves our gratitude more than the front-line health care workers and first responders who bravely put their own lives on the line to save others. To them, we say, “Thank you. You have our most profound appreciation.” The best way we can demonstrate our gratitude to these health care heroes is by remaining united in our most urgent cause: to confront and overcome this global pandemic.</p><p style="">Since the outbreak, there has been renewed collaboration throughout all levels of government and across party lines. Together, we have passed historic legislation that is delivering billions in emergency financial relief aid for workers, businesses and charities.</p><p style="">We have operationalized unparalleled public health care controls and launched a procurement and production effort, the likes of which have not been seen since the Second World War, and our co-operation is paying off. We are starting to see the curve flatten. There is reason for cautious optimism. However, the storm has not yet completely passed. There are still risks ahead and our work must continue.</p><p style="">My department is contributing in the overall Government of Canada response to COVID-19.</p><p style="">From the start, we took quick action to implement travel restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. These measures are necessary and important to ensure the health and safety of Canadians.</p><p style=""> In March, Canada and the United States entered into an interim agreement prohibiting all non-essential travel between our countries. We agreed to temporarily return asylum seekers, with assurances from the United States that their rights and due process would be respected. We also agreed to exemptions to this agreement to include immediate family members of Canadian residents whose travel is essential, those who hold valid work visas, including temporary foreign workers, those who hold valid student visas and permanent resident visa holders who were approved prior to March 18, 2020. These exemptions support the Canadian economy, essential services and reuniting families.</p><p style="">I think it is also important to point out that my work is closely related to that of a number of my cabinet colleagues since our teams have to work together on a daily basis. We are all working hand in hand to ensure that Canadians and their families have everything they need in these very difficult times.</p><p style="">We are working in close co-operation, but we have very distinct accountabilities and mandates. Our government is prioritizing work permit processing for critical occupations, such as those in the agricultural, agri-food and health care sectors.</p><p style="">Temporary foreign workers are vital to the success of our agricultural and seafood sectors and, by extension, the food security of all Canadians.</p><p style=""> Let me pause here to express my deep concern following the outbreaks at several food processing plants and farms around the country. Our thoughts go out to the families of those workers who recently passed away.</p><p style=""> Everyone has the right to work in a safe environment in Canada, including temporary workers. That is why our government introduced mandatory 14-day isolation protocols for facilities like these. It's also the reason we added new regulations under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to create enforcement powers to ensure compliance with physical and social distancing rules in the workplace. We backed these measures with $50 million to help food production and employers. In addition, we've sped up the application process to take less than a week, thanks to a new, dedicated processing team, and added flexibility in online processing.</p><p style=""> I want to also extend my appreciation to our public servants who have truly and remarkably innovated in this challenging period. The proof is in the numbers. Roughly 23,000 seasonal agricultural workers are already here to help plant and seed.</p><p style="">Last month, over 11,000 temporary foreign workers arrived in Canada on charter flights to support our farmers, prepare for planting and carry out other work in our agricultural and agri-food industry.</p><p style="">There are another 10,000 whose visas have been approved. These workers will provide critical support to our farmers and processors in particular and will ensure Canadians have the food they need.</p><p style=""> For workers who are already in Canada and have been impacted by COVID-19, we've introduced additional strategies to address workers' rights, status restoration and timelines for documentation. Most workers are able to extend their permit to remain legally in Canada while awaiting a decision on their application, and many workers can continue to work in this situation.</p><p style="">The health of workers and Canadians is our top priority and that is why we are continuing to work in close co-operation with the provinces and employer associations to ensure that they have all the tools they need to keep everyone healthy and safe.</p><p style=""> The international student program is one of the most successful programs in government. It contributes over $21 billion per year to the Canadian economy. It remains an economic driver in cities, big and small, and the students who participate in this program contribute in many positive ways to the social fabric of Canada. </p><p style="">We have engaged with our provincial counterparts and the post-secondary sector and acted on their feedback by temporarily lifting the 20-hour per week restriction on study permit holders working in essential services like health care. We've also provided more flexibility for students whose classes we've moved online due to the emergency to keep them from being penalized on their post-graduation work permit eligibility, provided that they complete at least 50% of their study program in class in Canada. These changes have been received very positively, and we are actively considering other options to ensure the long-term success of this program. </p><p style="">I hope this brief outline of the work that my department has been engaged in as part of the response to COVID-19 has been informative. We will continue to ensure that the immigration policies that we have put in place have been effective in responding to the pandemic and will position Canada for success as we begin to reopen the economy. In the interim, we will continue to support the day-to-day administration of the travel exemptions regime by ensuring that foreign workers and international students are able to enter into Canada, because we recognize their vital importance to our economy and to our food security. </p><p style="">The measures I have spoken about today, the facilitation, the financial supports and the regulations, will help ensure that the enormous benefits that temporary foreign workers bring to our economy are not lost in the disruption of the pandemic, even as we adjust our programs to ensure the health and security of all Canadians.</p><p style="">I know I have only touched on some of our work in this busy time. </p><p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members. I look forward to hearing your questions.</p></div>107449462020-05-08T11:20:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10744946
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Kent, for the question.</p><p style=""> I do want to say that it has been very collaborative to work with you and your staff, and we will continue to engage to work through the issues in the cases you have bought to my department's attention. </p><p style="">I do want to underline that we are indeed concerned about Canadians and unemployment, and we are providing financial support to Canadians right across the country through a variety of programs so they can bridge over this very difficult period.</p><p style="">When it comes to the temporary foreign worker program, as you point out, the reason for this program in the first instance is that there are some sectors of our economy that have proven stubborn over the years to recruit the domestic labour and skill that we need, so in an effort to fill those gaps, we have the temporary foreign worker program. In particular, that program has been a real success in the seasonal agricultural sector, and that is why we have ensured that, as part of our overall immigration policy, we have created an exemption for seasonal agricultural work. </p><p style="">I want to again take a moment to highlight the way in which we are facilitating their entry with an exemptions regime by innovating, standing up new teams, and processing times have truly come down remarkably so that we can prioritize their entry into Canada. </p><p style="">Some of the numbers you had asked about I already mentioned in my opening remarks, but we have approximately 20,000 already here and 10,000 who are approved and who we are attempting to get here. We are working very closely with our provincial partners and employers to ensure that they get here as quickly as possible. </p></div>107449482020-05-08T11:23:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10744948
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">First of all, when it comes to asylum, Mr. Kent, I hope you will agree that Canada is truly a role model in the world. That is because we believe in taking a compassionate approach to those who have been displaced through no fault of their own. Indeed, that work will continue, as it is truly one of the enduring values that underpin our immigration system.</p><p style="">With regard to the interim agreement we have entered into with the United States, as I pointed out, it upholds those rights while ensuring that we are protecting the health and safety of Canadians throughout this pandemic.</p><p style="">With regard to your question about our financial commitments to ensure that refugees are able to access the essential services once they are making their claims, our relationship with the provinces, and in particular with municipalities like Toronto, have been very strong over the years through successive governments. In particular, when it comes to Mayor Tory, with whom I have a very good working relationship, as do the rest of the members of our government, we have ensured that year over year they are getting the financial resources they need to bridge over the time in which individuals are coming and making asylum claims. That system has worked very well over the years, and as I say, it will continue.</p></div>107449502020-05-08T11:24:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10744950
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Well, as you say, Mr. Kent, I don't cut the cheques, but certainly we have made sure in the past that through a variety of programs, including the interim housing assistance program, cheques have been cut. Of course, we will continue to partner with the City of Toronto and other cities that are doing their fair share to help land asylum claimants and refugees.</p></div>107449542020-05-08T11:30:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10744954
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style=""> Thank you, Mr. Dong, both for your question and for your ongoing advocacy regarding international students.</p><p style=""> I want to take a moment to reiterate what a tremendous economic contributor this program is to our economy. It pumps approximately $21 billion into the economy each year. It also adds to our social fabric. The skills and experience that these international students bring to our post-secondary institutions are very significant.</p><p style=""> I want to say that we have been engaged directly and extensively with our provincial partners, as well as the post-secondary institution leaders themselves. As a result of their feedback, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, we have made a number of modifications to the international student program to ensure its ongoing success. We have created additional flexibility around online classes to ensure that those who are here are able to take their online courses this spring semester in a way that will not penalize their ability to work after they graduate. </p><p style="">We've also made some similar modifications for those international students who are abroad and who had plans to come to attend school this spring but were not able to because of the travel restrictions that are in place. We have ensured that they are able to continue to participate in those programs.</p><p style=""> As I mentioned as well, we have widened the parameters of the work permits that attach to student visas to ensure those who are taking a degree in the essential services sectors, such as, nursing or medicine, or those taking a diploma in health care work.... Think about the additional support those students can lend to our front lines, whether it's in a long-term retirement home or in hospitals where we know COVID-19 strikes very hard and very quickly.</p><p style="">When you put all of these measures together, you'll see that our government has truly committed to ensuring that the international student program is a success, while at the same time protecting the health and safety of all Canadians throughout this pandemic. Of course, when it comes to our intake process, we look forward to having some additional news for you in the not too distant future.</p></div>107449562020-05-08T11:33:26-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:33)?PubType=40017&Item=10744956
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">On the issue of extending visas and permits, in general terms my department has exercised its discretion judiciously in these circumstances to ensure that there is the least amount of disruption, particularly for those visa holders—students and workers, as I mentioned—who are here in Canada, recognizing that it's a challenge to get back home given that there aren't many international flights right now. Of course, those flexibilities are appropriate and they're exercised responsibly.</p><p style="">With regard to your question about the consideration of what occurs in the future around the one- to three-year requirement and having that requisite Canadian experience, I'm open to considering those options. Of course, we always have to balance the integrity of this program, because we do want to be sure that we are attracting the best and the brightest, those students who are here to acquire a degree, to put their shoulder to the wheel and to contribute to the economy, especially in the essential services, and then take those experiences back home, should they choose to and when they choose to.</p><p style="">With regard to transitioning from the international student program to permanent residence, those pathways do exist. As you point out, we have a points system that looks to align the skills and experiences that our Canadian economy needs with the ones that are presented by the students. </p><p style="">All of those principles will continue to apply as we seek to leverage the benefits of this program going forward.</p></div>107449592020-05-08T11:35:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10744959
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">My message is that we are with you and we will condemn any and all examples of hate and racism in its many forms. This is work that I know our government has stood for, and I hope that all members of our House will join us in condemning these things. There is no place for racism or hatred in any form, even during a pandemic. Of course, we will be with those students and those Canadians.</p></div>107449622020-05-08T11:37:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10744962
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for the question, Ms. Chabot.</p><p style="">First, I would like to thank you for all the work you do in this area. It is so important.</p><p style="">I have had many discussions with my Quebec counterpart, Minister Jolin-Barrette, which has made it possible to make a lot of progress with regard to the arrival of temporary foreign agricultural workers in Canada and Quebec. Processing applications for workers in this stream is a priority for my department and we are working very hard on that. We have been able to make progress by dedicating a lot of resources to the processing of applications of temporary workers.</p><p style="">I will just say that we will continue to place the resources that are necessary to expedite and prioritize the arrival of temporary foreign workers in Canada. As I mentioned, 20,000 are already here, and there are another 10,000 who will, we hope, be arriving in short order. </p><p style="">To address the last part of your question, Madam Chabot, what we are doing to ensure the health and safety of the temporary foreign workers is putting in place a set of regulations around mandatory isolation, that 14-day period in which we have to be sure that they are asymptomatic. We are providing $50 million to the agricultural sector to ensure that the accommodations that need to be made in both lodging and workplace safety are made to protect not only the temporary workers who are coming in but the overall security of our food supply chain.</p></div>107449642020-05-08T11:41:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10744964
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for your question and for the work that you do, Ms. Normandin. I know that you are in contact with my team regarding this priority.</p><p style="">We will continue to examine the possibility of making work permits issued under the temporary foreign worker program more flexible. Given the urgency of the current situation, we need to find new ways of doing things and new solutions to ensure food security. We will continue to work together to find solutions.</p><p style=""> In the meantime, as I mentioned, Madam Normandin, we are continuing to prioritize the approvals of new temporary foreign worker permits as well as invite extensions of the temporary foreign worker visas that are about to expire. We are granting implied status to temporary foreign workers who are here and whose visas are expiring, and if they have to move from one job to another within the same sector, we are trying to find ways to expedite that process as quickly as possible. </p><p style="">I look forward to continuing to work with you on that important initiative.</p></div>107449672020-05-08T11:43:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10744967
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style=""> Ms. Kwan, thank you for the opportunity to work with you on these issues.</p><p style="">The short answer is that we are continuing to explore that as an option. We don't have a definite answer for you today, but we are exploring it as an option. As we discussed, in the meantime there are a variety of programs that caregivers can access to bridge them through this period and COVID-19.</p></div>107449692020-05-08T11:44:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10744969
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you for the question, Ms. Kwan. As you know, my department has actually made significant progress over the years at reducing backlogs when it comes to citizenship applications, but of course COVID-19 has had a very direct and significant impact on our operational capabilities.</p><p style="">Notwithstanding that, as I mentioned in my remarks, my department is standing up alternative processes, including the exploration of new innovative and online solutions for all of our lines of business and services, including in the area of citizenship ceremonies. You may have seen in recent days that we've had a couple of virtual ceremonies, or at least one, if I'm not mistaken. Those are the types of solutions we will continue to explore going forward. </p><p style="">It's important, and I'm happy to work with you on that.</p></div>107449712020-05-08T11:46:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10744971
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">First, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, no worker should have to go to work in dangerous conditions. That readily applies to caregivers. That's one of the reasons we have put in place protections around mandatory isolation, to protect the workers, to protect the families, to protect everyone—</p></div>107449732020-05-08T11:47:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10744973
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style=""> I was coming to that, Ms. Kwan, and I agree that it sounds very problematic. I would be happy to work with you if you are concerned about a specific case.</p><p style="">When it comes to occupational health and safety, that matter falls squarely within provincial jurisdiction, but there are other protections in place that we can explore together.</p></div>107449752020-05-08T11:47:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10744975
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I think that if workers are being told that the Canada emergency response benefit is their income and therefore they still have to work, that is a problem, and yes, we need to address it. </p></div>107449772020-05-08T11:48:26-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10744977
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">As you know, in some cases, particularly in the caregiver class, we have looked at waiving LMIA fees, but that program is administered by my colleague, Minister Qualtrough.I am happy to take that feedback to her to have that conversation. </p></div>107449822020-05-08T11:49:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10744982
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Kent, I stand by the comments I made to the Canadian Bar Association, in that when you look back in history, in spite of the many challenges our country has faced, there is a very forward-looking trend that looks to leverage both the value and the economic prosperity that are driven by looking around the world for the best and the brightest. I believe that is an enduring value that will continue.</p><p style="">How we do that, keeping in mind our levels and our operational capacity, is of course going to be driven by the context. As we all know, we are in the midst of a pandemic, but immigration is a hallmark, and it will continue to be. I think Canadians relate to this. The journeys in coming to this country and contributing both to the social fabric and to our economy will last beyond COVID-19. </p></div>107449842020-05-08T11:50:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10744984
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">As I pointed out, the work that my department has done, notwithstanding the impacts of COVID-19, has been truly remarkable in a variety of lines of service, including continuing landings in ways that are truly innovative, and I commend our public servants for adapting to the situation. </p><p style="">With regard to your specific question around levels and how we will continue immigration to Canada, I have a mandate letter. That letter is very transparent, and we will continue to examine the circumstances, including the surrounding context, of Canada's response to COVID-19 as we plan for the future.</p><p style=""> I think Canadians will support immigration, and we should all support it as parliamentarians, not just because immigration is an important policy but also because it's part of who we are. It is a part of our fabric, part of our identity, and I believe it will continue to be long after we have overcome COVID-19. </p></div>107449862020-05-08T11:52:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10744986
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Kent, being the veteran that you are, you will know that I am scheduled to provide an update in the fall. In the interim, I look forward to many more conversations with you, as my critic in this area, and all parliamentarians.</p></div>107449902020-05-08T11:53:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10744990
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">In 30 seconds, Ms. Dancho, you have my guarantee that I will work with you and get back—</p></div>107449922020-05-08T11:53:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10744992
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">We will be back to you next week, yes.</p></div>107449942020-05-08T11:53:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10744994
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">We will be back to you before then, yes.</p></div>107449982020-05-08T11:55:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10744998
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Turnbull, both for your work in this area and for the very constructive conversation that we had recently with regard to the work that settlement service organizations are doing across the country, as well for your advocacy regarding vulnerable populations. Let me just say a few words about the latter, because I believe it's the gist of your question.</p><p style="">Our government has invested over $157.5 million to support municipalities in addressing people who are living in vulnerable situations. This is in addition to $50 million that we have provided to help women's shelters and victims of gender-based violence, to strengthen their capacity to manage throughout the course of the outbreak. In addition to that, we have provided $100 million to Food Banks Canada, which will again provide food security and the necessities of life that are required for our vulnerable populations. These are just a couple of the very concrete investments and initiatives that we have put into place to ensure that no one is left behind throughout the course of COVID-19. </p><p style="">I directly engage with our settlement service organizations routinely. I have been holding frequent calls with our umbrella organizations across the country, including the likes of OCASI and COSTI. I think we owe them a debt of gratitude. They too are adapting to the circumstances, and they are providing the essential support that is needed to our vulnerable populations throughout COVID-19. That's work that I look forward to continuing with them.</p></div>107450002020-05-08T11:57:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10745000
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style=""> As I mentioned earlier to my colleagues from the Bloc Québécois, we are looking at and continuing to study options to create that flexibility within the closed work permit class, particularly for those temporary foreign workers whose visas have expired or for those who have lost their work. We are prioritizing the extensions of those visas and working very closely with those workers as well as the employers in the essential services sectors, such as the health sector, as well as those in the food sector and the agricultural and seafood sectors, to try to provide the continuity that they require.</p><p style="">I will also say that we have ensured that workers in this sector have implied status while they move on to that next position, and we'll continue to find ways to prioritize them, because we know that this is vital for food security for all Canadians.</p></div>107450022020-05-08T11:58:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 11:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10745002
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">It depends on exactly the kind of permit. Some permits are more restrictive than others. In some cases there is an ability to move from one job to another within the same organization or the same employer, but in some other cases it's very much restricted to the position itself. </p><p style="">Those are precisely the types of solutions that we are looking to create through some additional flexibility. In the meantime, I believe the resources and the expedited processes that have been put into place, not only by my department but also by my colleagues Minister Qualtrough and Madame Bibeau, will together ensure that we have the ability to move workers around to fill the gaps in seasonal agricultural work, because this is a critical time of year and the planting and seeding season has to continue. </p><p style="">As a matter of fact, we've made a lot of good progress, as I mentioned, Mr. Turnbull. We saw really good numbers in April and we're starting to see those numbers pick up in May as well.</p></div>107450062020-05-08T12:00:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10745006
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">It's being resolved when those cases and those issues are brought to my attention, Of course, you and I have worked very closely on that. I thank you for your collaboration, and we will continue to do that work together. I'll just say there has been a real and renewed spirit of collaboration among all members in the House, and that is vital to resolving these issues.</p><p style="">We have tried in the interim to provide operational clarity and guidelines to our partners at CBSA. By and large, the system—both the travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the exemptions regime, which includes temporary foreign workers—is working very effectively. That was evidenced last month by the good numbers that we saw in the arrivals of temporary foreign workers in the seasonal agricultural sector. We are starting to see the same progress with those numbers picking up in May as well.</p></div>107450082020-05-08T12:01:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10745008
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I'm not entirely sure that's how New Brunswick characterized it, Mr. Kent, but I will tell you that I have been engaged with my provincial counterpart in that province, and I know that all levels of our government have been engaged with our counterparts in New Brunswick. As with all provinces, New Brunswick officials are making decisions that they feel are the best in terms of the public health care interests of their people. It's a jurisdiction that we share with New Brunswick. </p><p style="">However, I'm also assured by New Brunswick officials that they are committed to the temporary foreign worker program in the long run, and that is a collaboration that will continue.</p><p style=""> In the meantime, for the New Brunswick temporary foreign workers who are impacted, we have found new work for them in the region so as to ensure that we're taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to guaranteeing our food supply chain.</p></div>107450102020-05-08T12:02:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10745010
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style=""> As I mentioned, Mr. Kent, our operational capabilities have been impacted by COVID-19, just as all lines of business in government have been affected and, quite honestly, as all of society and all businesses have been. Notwithstanding those challenges, we have set up new alternative processes. We have equipped our personnel with the online tools and resources they need to continue landings. Those landings will continue in a variety of classes, including in the economic class and the humanitarian class.</p><p style="">As you know, we will be providing some additional numbers and an update in the fall, and I look forward to delivering more news at that time.</p></div>107450122020-05-08T12:03:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10745012
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Kent, we always stand ready to receive offers of support from our provincial partners when it comes to landing refugees in the humanitarian sector. I will always accept a call from my provincial colleagues on that front.</p><p style="">In the meantime, we are collaborating very closely when it comes to the administration of the provincial nominee program, which is a program that has for many years been a tool used by the provinces in concert with the overall levels plan that we intend to continue to ensure is implemented. I'm looking forward to an upcoming FPT meeting with my provincial colleagues this summer.</p></div>107450162020-05-08T12:05:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10745016
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you very much, Mr. Vaughan.</p><p style="">To clarify, under the current non-essential travel ban that exists with the United States, we have entered into a concurrent arrangement whereby we are returning to the United States those who arrive at official points of entry. When they arrive at the official point of entry, the safe third country agreement continues to apply as a means of ensuring due process and the rights that would apply in those circumstances. </p><p style="">In between official points of entry, we have successfully sought and obtained assurances from the United States that those protections will be in place, but at the same time that those who are turned back will be allowed to return to Canada should they choose to pursue their asylum claim.</p><p style="">In terms of the additional numbers, if you'll just give me one moment, I will provide you with an update, but I will say that the numbers have been quite manageable in the interim. I think it is a reflection of the fact that the agreement is working, that our system is working. </p><p style="">If you'll indulge me and move on to your next question, I will continue to get those numbers and provide them in my subsequent answer.</p></div>107450182020-05-08T12:06:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10745018
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">First, thank you for highlighting the additional financial commitments and supports that have been delivered to the City of Toronto, and indeed to municipalities right across the country. </p><p style="">Yes, of course I will continue to make the case for those supports as required, because municipalities are an important partner when it comes to the work that we do in landing refugees.</p></div>107450202020-05-08T12:07:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10745020
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">In terms of the actual physical individuals who have come in, what I have here is that we had 12 at our airports, four who arrived at our marine ports and 37 by land. That is just within the COVID-19 period.</p></div>107450222020-05-08T12:08:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10745022
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Mr. Vaughan, I will have to come back to you with that precise number, but in the last report it was in the low teens.</p></div>107450242020-05-08T12:08:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10745024
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">It would be. I just don't want to commit to that number, because it was a few days ago, but I'm confident in saying that it's in that range.</p></div>107450262020-05-08T12:08:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10745026
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I think that the logic follows. Of course, that doesn't mean we don't have an obligation to our vulnerable populations. As I pointed out in answer to Mr. Turnbull, and as you well know, Mr. Vaughan, because you are a vociferous advocate in this area, we are continuing to provide that support to municipalities to take care of every person who is in those vulnerable populations.</p></div>107450282020-05-08T12:09:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10745028
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">It is, but just before I come to the rest of my answer, I have an update on the question you just asked. It appears that there are 24 individuals who have sought claims, and that is the most recent number we have.</p><p style="">Yes, of course, the temporary foreign worker program is designed, as I say, to ensure that we fill those gaps for which it had been difficult to recruit domestic labour. There are programs that put the appropriate focus on the seasonal agricultural sector as well as the seafood sector precisely to achieve that end.</p></div>107450342020-05-08T12:12:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10745034
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Ms. Chabot, we share that objective. As I said, there are resources in place to help the industry. We implemented protection mechanisms to help temporary workers. I gave several examples. We will continue to look for solutions.</p><p style="">I would like to say a few words about support for</p><p style="">the seafood workers.</p><p style="">My colleague, Minister Jordan, announced recently $62.5 million in initiatives that will provide maintenance and inventory supports that will add additional storage capacity and will also address health and safety conditions. This is in addition to all of the support that my colleague, Madam Bibeau, has announced in the agricultural sector for farmers.</p><p style="">When you take all of these measures together, Madam Chabot, you see that our government is really fulfilling our commitment to the sector and to the workers who are arriving here in a great number, as I said. There was good progress in April, and we will continue to make that progress going forward.</p></div>107450372020-05-08T12:14:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10745037
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">My understanding after engaging with CRA and ESDC is that if the individuals in question meet the criteria for eligibility under the CERB, they can apply using their SIN, which does not expire for tax purposes, regardless of the status of their work permit. Depending on their situation, they might or might not be able to apply online, but they will be able to do so through the call centre. </p><p style="">As I mentioned in my conversations with you, we are looking at ways to ensure that all vulnerable populations are receiving access and eligibility to the programs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.</p></div>107450392020-05-08T12:15:06-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10745039
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">I'm sorry. I don't have a definitive answer for you on that last question, but I do know that my staff is continuing to engage with our colleagues in different department to try to get some clarity.</p></div>107450412020-05-08T12:15:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10745041
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">First, I'm happy to speak with you offline about any service interruptions. If you have concerns, you can always send me an email and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible.</p><p style=""> With regard to the parents and grandparents program, we remain committed to our work in reuniting families. No government has done more. We've had to defer the relaunch of the program. It was our intention to do so at the beginning of April, but because of COVID-19, we've pushed that back. I'll have more to say going forward. </p></div>107450432020-05-08T12:16:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - 2020-05-08Committee Evidence - HUMA-9 - Hon. Marco Mendicino (2020-05-08 12:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10745043
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MendicinoMarco_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Marco Mendicino</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Eglinton—Lawrence, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88738<p style="">Thank you, Mr. Chair; and thanks to all the members of the committee for their questions and their work. Please stay healthy and safe. </p></div>107432512020-05-07T13:08:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-15 - 2020-05-07Committee Evidence - PROC-15 - Ruby Sahota (2020-05-07 13:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10743251
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/SahotaRuby_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Ruby Sahota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Brampton North, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88698<p style="">Andre can clarify, but perhaps the House has not been cancelled for any emergency reason since 1867. I think that's what Andre is trying to get at.</p><p style="">Andre?</p></div>107368572020-05-04T15:30:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10736857
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Thank you, Madam Chair. </p><p style="">Thank you all very much.</p><p style="">Madam Chair and committee members, thank you for your invitation to reappear today as you continue your study of parliamentary duties and the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p style="">As I explained in my previous statement to the committee, your challenge is to consider and recommend how the House and its members can perform their roles of advancing legislation and holding the government to account while observing the necessary health precautions during the current pandemic.</p><p style="">I have been following your committee's proceedings with interest over the past two weeks as you have heard presentations and posed questions to witnesses who have provided important evidence. </p><p style="">Today I would like to offer some suggestions on how the House of Commons could adjust these practices in light of the two operating functions: one, as a deliberative assembly engaged in debate; and two, as a decision-making assembly on legislation, resolutions and orders. </p><p style="">Through the first meeting of the special committee on COVID-19 on April 28, most members have now participated in virtual deliberations. A virtual meeting is undeniably different from our usual in-person proceedings, but as we continue to adjust to using new technologies, we have seen it is possible to gather, debate and deliberate in virtual meetings.</p><p style="">As chair of the committee I was impressed by this experience, both from the technological standpoint and the quality of the exchange. I took some notes that I want to share with the committee. They may provide some ideas for your consideration as you prepare your report.</p><p style="">One issue that I think must be addressed has to be with the visual background in front of which members appear. Based on established practice, these backgrounds should be as neutral as possible, and consistent with the non-partisan environment of the chamber or committee. I have written to the chair of this committee expressing my concerns on this topic.</p><p style="">Absent a decision of the House to the contrary, I will be advising members to refrain from including any background that is not consistent with the norms and standards followed within the parliamentary precinct. </p><p style="">I also noted that many of the House's practices surrounding its deliberations can readily accommodate virtual participation. For example, the Chair is aided in recognizing members in debates by the rotation lists established by all the parties. This already brings a degree of predictability to the proceedings, something that is equally helpful to members and the Chair participating through a virtual setting.</p><p style="">Other proceedings, such as question period, where fixed interventions are relatively brief, might need some adjustment. In a virtual sitting, time must be managed differently, and the exchanges between members asking and answering questions will not be the same as in an in-person sitting. These aspects of question period—the length of interventions and the unpredictability surrounding who will respond—are, however, matters of adjustment among the parties or matters of practice, and could be adjusted to provide more time for questions and answers without requiring formal changes to the House's rules.</p><p style=""> Many of the House's more routine practices could also be adapted to accommodate virtual participation in a straightforward manner and without changes to the rules. For example, the provisions that allow members to present petitions in the special committee on COVID-19 specifically ensure that such petitions are deemed presented in the House. In a virtual sitting of the House, no change to the rules would be necessary for members who are participating virtually to present petitions. Members would simply continue to submit the petition certificates electronically.</p><p style="">In short, as this committee decides what types of business it would like to see in the House debates and how—whether virtual or some hybrid of in-person and virtual—the procedural experts in the House administration will provide the committee with a more detailed proposal on how to accomplish this. In fact, the House administration has already begun work on how to support such an outcome, following the guiding principles I shared with the committee during my previous appearance.</p><p style="">On April 5, I received a letter from the government House leader asking about the ability of the administration to support and facilitate virtual sittings of the House during these unprecedented times. In my response on April 8, I stated that I had mandated digital services and real property, in collaboration with procedural services, to prepare for the possibility of holding virtual sittings within four weeks.</p><p style="">Similar to the approach to virtual participation of a number of international legislatures, including the United Kingdom's, the administration has begun testing with simulations of a hybrid model and will soon be ready to go beyond what has already been achieved with the virtual meetings of the special committee. This hybrid model would allow the deliberative aspects of the proceedings to continue throughout the pandemic with options for all members to participate. In this model, minimum changes to the House's rules would be required to allow its deliberations to continue, all while incorporating members' virtual participation.</p><p style="">As to the second operating function of the House, its decision-making authority, the challenge is greater. The standing orders that define this function are closely connected to the physical presence of members in the House itself. A more extensive review is required of the procedural mechanisms involved.</p><p style="">I was informed that the House administration is ready to provide detailed advice and options once it has received some direction from the committee as to what kind of approach it would like to consider. The technology is available and the rules can be adapted, and while the time to do this is tight, it can be done so as to leverage the capabilities of virtual sittings during the period of this pandemic.</p><p style=""> Once this committee has determined the types of deliberations it would recommend to the House that the House undertake during the current crisis, and how much virtual participation it would like to see in those deliberations, we can begin implementing as quickly as possible. Whatever the deliberations, they will involve the participation of all members, all the while respecting physical distancing and travel guidelines.</p><p style="">Similarly, once the committee has decided on how it would see the House exercise its decision-making function during this time, we will develop specific options for consideration. This would be in line with the incremental approach that I strongly recommended in my initial appearance.</p><p style="">With that, the Clerk and I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.</p></div>107368602020-05-04T15:42:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10736860
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> I understand that the time that you have been allotted to come up with some kind of solution is very limited and the number of meetings that you have is very short, but I would hope that the report that you do come up with is something that is more at a macro level. I really do hope that this continues for some time after May 15, so that you will continue to have this committee inquiring into this area and so we can come up with some kind of a solution, should this come up again. There's no question that a crisis will come up again, and it would be nice if the report covered that. It is very important to all of us in the House. </p><p style="">As far as the public health guidelines go, we have been doing our best to make sure that does take place. When it's done virtually, that is really up to the individual members, but in the House, sitting in the chair, I get to observe what's going on and, overall, everyone is staying at least six feet apart. We do take sanitary precautions, but there are times when that six feet really does get a little bit smaller and then it's a concern.</p><p style=""> Overall, we're putting the guidelines out there, but it is up to the individual members when they are in the House to conform to the guidelines put out by the public health authorities.</p></div>107368662020-05-04T15:47:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10736866
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Is it three virtual sessions or three in-person sessions?</p></div>107368692020-05-04T15:47:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10736869
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I can reply to that very quickly. When we're looking at people's safety, I think we're looking at the MPs' safety as well.</p><p style="">The idea of having a very limited group there on the Wednesday—I think the whole idea of having the virtual is having multiple people.... The last thing we want to do is to regionalize it so we only have people from the area show up and represent their parties.</p><p style="">One of the things I am very concerned about is parliamentary privilege. Every individual MP has the right to represent his or her riding in Ottawa and by doing—</p></div>107368722020-05-04T15:48:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10736872
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes. That would be a logical assumption. I think for something like that, to get the exact numbers, you would have to talk to someone in public health, but because you're not in the same room, my assumption as a layman would be, yes, you would have less chance....</p></div>107368742020-05-04T15:50:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10736874
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> When you look at the House itself when it's sitting, members have the right to walk out or stay in the room. That is their prerogative. Therefore, for us to determine that they have to be there when the questions are being asked or when proceedings are taking place is something you may want to study as a committee; however, I would recommend that it happens in virtual time just like it does in House time. There is not much difference. </p></div>107368762020-05-04T15:51:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10736876
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That is something we'll have to look at, or the committee will have to look at it. </p><p style="">That is why I mentioned when I first started, with Mr. Brassard, that I'm hoping this committee doesn't stop on May 15 with all of the procedures, because we will have changes coming up and more crises in the future. If we take this crisis and learn and build on it, we might be able to improve not only virtual sittings but actual sittings in the House when we return to normal. </p></div>107368782020-05-04T15:52:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10736878
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I would hope that's the case. The committee has to determine what it wants to study. </p><p style="">What we're in right now is a crisis, and you've been brought together at this point because of the crisis. It doesn't mean that a crisis isn't going to happen again. If it does, I would hope that what we've learned right now we could use in future crises. As I mentioned a few seconds ago, if some of the results you come up with can be transferred to the House to make it more operational and make it work more cohesively or efficiently, that would be a real bonus coming out of this. </p></div>107368812020-05-04T15:53:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10736881
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I was not. I saw some of your proceedings, but that was one I wanted to see and never got around to. Unfortunately, time—</p></div>107368832020-05-04T15:54:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10736883
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I think we're moving toward that. If it's possible, we should go ahead with it, as we make sure technologically that we can do that. </p><p style="">The concern I have, and what I have read about the chamber in Westminister especially, is how to determine who is in the chamber. I don't want to see a situation where it's not the individual members who decide if they are in the House but it's another party—and I mean “party” as someone else, not a political party—determining who is in there. </p><p style="">Especially when you start looking at people who are far away, people who are close.... England is a very compact country compared to Canada, and it really does make a difference.</p><p style="">This virtual meeting will help people quite extensively, especially in rural and regional areas where they can't come down.... I remember you telling me about your trip taking a day and a half, which normally does not take a day— </p></div>107368902020-05-04T15:57:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10736890
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">It's a possibility. In the past, if a member couldn't come to the House, it wasn't because of an external obstruction. The member couldn't come, either because of a storm or because he or she couldn't make the trip. It was because of something external. That's one thing.</p><p style="">Breach of privilege is when something perverts members from doing what they are supposed to do in the course of their work in the House. It's not a big difference, but it's a very important one.</p></div>107368922020-05-04T15:58:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10736892
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, that could be one argument.</p></div>107368942020-05-04T15:58:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10736894
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes. When we started, we suggested that it be done gradually. That way, we could see what we were doing right and what we were doing wrong. It would allow us to get as close to perfection as possible.</p></div>107368962020-05-04T15:59:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10736896
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">These are virtual sittings or hybrid sittings, meaning that some members are in the House while others participate in the debates by teleconference. This is something that the committee must decide before making its recommendations to the House. Ultimately, the House will decide what we'll do.</p></div>107368982020-05-04T15:59:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 15:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10736898
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Given the way things have been going so far, I'm sure it's possible. However, we have restrictions based on the laws and regulations that govern the House. We have to respect both, and perhaps interpret them a little more freely. They have to be interpreted in a way that works, without changing their original intent.</p></div>107369002020-05-04T16:00:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10736900
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">It's certainly something we've discussed, but we haven't yet found a solution. When someone is speaking and disappears suddenly, that's a problem.</p></div>107369022020-05-04T16:01:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10736902
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">What's happening?</p></div>107369042020-05-04T16:01:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10736904
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Okay.</p><p style="">The question was whether we had thought about what we could do in the House when someone disappears. It doesn't happen every day. We're looking into that, but I don't have a solution yet. It's very important that we take that eventuality into account in the procedure of the House so that members can reconnect and complete their remarks if they lose the connection in the middle of their speech. We have to make sure it works.</p></div>107369062020-05-04T16:02:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10736906
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The parliamentary calendar exists. That's a decision of the House, not the Speaker. Parliament can be called at the request of members that Parliament. I don't have the power to do that.</p></div>107369082020-05-04T16:03:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10736908
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That's a decision that must be made by the House and not by the House Administration. The current rules were put in place a long time ago. Some of them reflect the reality of 1867, and much has changed since then. Some of the rules of the House have changed.</p><p style="">If we ever wanted to change the rules, that would be a decision for the House. It couldn't come from outside. If the House wants to have votes, whether they are confidence votes or not, it's the House that has to make the changes. The House has to determine its own rules.</p></div>107369142020-05-04T16:04:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10736914
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I encourage the committee to continue with this to find alternatives, virtual or whatever else might come up, certainly, and to continue to look at what procedures we do have in the House. Actually, as I said earlier, there might be some spilling over into the House, because if you do an in-depth study and find out what works and what doesn't work in other places, it's something that you can bring back here.</p><p style="">When we look at the situation that exists now, you were given a very short time as a committee to come up with what is, I'm going to say, a macro-level solution. Now, once that report comes in, there's implementation, and we will need more in-depth answers to that macro solution. I would hope that the committee would continue to look at what we have, how we can implement it and how it will make not only virtual meetings but also actual in-house meetings better.</p></div>107369162020-05-04T16:07:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10736916
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">There's no question right now, and that's what the standing orders are about. if you look, the standing orders we have now are not the same standing orders we had back in 1867 when they were first put in place. As time goes on, we modify things. Again, Parliament—the House of Commons—is a creature of the House itself, the members, so as things go on, whether virtually, live or a hybrid of some sort, those standing orders that you're going to suggest as a committee or the Clerk and his staff will suggest.... I would hope that, working together, we can come up with something that works very well so that the next time something like this does happen, a crisis, we will be ready. </p></div>107369182020-05-04T16:08:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10736918
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">It's definitely something that is being looked at by our technical staff, and there are examples of technology that exists out there. It's just a matter of taking it and modifying it so that it works in Canada with, as I said, our vast geography and our time zones as well. </p><p style="">We do have five time zones. I don't envy MPs who come from B.C. I envy their weather in the middle of the winter, but other than that, having to travel to Ottawa and to have that time difference makes it difficult. As soon as you have a vote that might be at a certain time, it really doesn't make sense in B.C. versus Newfoundland, and that's something to consider as well. It's something that we have to look at. </p><p style="">One of the other things that we have to look at, as I mentioned, is that the rules were mainly created in 1867. We talked about Parliament, and that was basically an assembly of people. That's what we were looking at, bringing people together in one place, but what was the intent? Was it to have them physically there or have their minds there? That's something we have to examine and determine. Is a physical presence necessary in order to vote and in order to speak, or is the person being there in spirit, through virtual connection, really good enough for what we are trying to accomplish? That's something we have to come to an agreement on. Right now, it is a physical presence in the chamber. </p></div>107369222020-05-04T16:11:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10736922
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> For this one, I think I'll defer to Monsieur Patrice or Monsieur Aubé.</p><p style="">Mr. Aubé, I'll let you answer the question.</p></div>107369542020-05-04T16:19:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10736954
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I believe the upper limit was 309. There were just about 290 who were actual MPs. Of course, we had staff and backup on board. Even with all the 309, had we had 338 and upwards, I believe it would have gone rather smoothly. I was very impressed with the way it proceeded.</p></div>107369562020-05-04T16:19:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10736956
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That would be my assessment as well.</p></div>107369582020-05-04T16:20:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10736958
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Well, we had 13 altogether. Eight of them were the choice of the channel. What we've done is we've made some modifications. If you notice now, if you want to speak English, you're on the English channel. If you want to speak French, you're on the French channel. When I was giving my speech, there was a little bit of a pause in between, but it seems to have worked.</p><p style="">There was a third channel where it was the floor. It would recognize whether it was French or English, and the interpretation, it has something to do with the software. It's the program itself. It's something they're working on. We may come to that with time. Those were eight of the issues.</p><p style=""> What seemed to happen was that about 70% of people were working fine on the floor level, but for 30% there would be some interference, where they would be speaking English, and there was either English translation or French translation. It really was bothering, I'd say, about 30% of the people involved. </p><p style="">Another five were about sound. Again, I encourage everyone to use the headset, like I have. I notice some of you are using your own. Some of you aren't using any at all—one of you, I guess. I'll leave it at that. I won't name any names. I would encourage you to get hold of your IT ambassador and see about getting one with a boom. It actually makes a difference when things are being said. </p><p style="">Again, with the people who were in earlier, the interpreters who were in earlier, it's not only for the MPs' health; it's for theirs as well. </p><p style="">One person had an echo on their channel and there were some video problems, but overall everything worked fairly well.</p></div>107369602020-05-04T16:22:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10736960
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">They were, and I'm hoping we will know better tomorrow whether they were resolved or not. They are fairly simple fixes, but it's a matter of figuring out what they are so we can fix them.</p></div>107369622020-05-04T16:23:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10736962
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That's a good question. Right now I'm looking down the road. Can we have a full parliamentary session virtually? I think eventually we will get there. Are we ready to do that now? Technologically I believe we can do it. Our rules, unfortunately, are in place, and they are the rules of the House. We have to contend with those rules to make sure they are flexible enough to allow virtual meetings.</p></div>107369642020-05-04T16:24:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10736964
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The big one here is the vote that takes place in the House. There are rules in place stating that members have to be in the House when the question is read and have to be in the House in their seats until they leave. That is something we have to contend with. We will have to look at that and determine how we want to do that.</p><p style="">I encourage this committee to look at the different possibilities. I'm looking forward to the recommendations this committee will come out with on this. Considering the changes that could happen and what's happening now in the House when the votes take place, this could mean different options for future parliaments.</p></div>107369672020-05-04T16:26:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10736967
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I will pass it over to Monsieur Aubé. He can answer that.</p></div>107369812020-05-04T16:29:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10736981
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Maybe I'll just start off and then hand it over to you.</p><p style="">The meetings we have right now are public meetings—</p></div>107369832020-05-04T16:30:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10736983
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Okay.</p><p style="">Mr. Aubé, I'll let you finish it off. You will have all the technical—</p></div>107369932020-05-04T16:31:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10736993
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I'll defer this one to our Clerk, who has a very in-depth knowledge of the Standing Orders. He can answer this in probably more depth than I can.</p><p style="">Monsieur Robert.</p></div>107370042020-05-04T16:34:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10737004
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, but we have to remember the rules. The member of Parliament has to be physically in the House to cast that vote. To implement what the parties have agreed to among themselves, they could pass it. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable with that, but the House has the right to do it. </p><p style="">If we were to have everyone vote, we would have to open the House and have everyone come in to vote on making those changes. That's one of the things that has to be considered right now with the pandemic. How safe and how prudent is it to bring everyone into that chamber so they can vote, when they won't be standing six feet apart and bodily fluids will be spread around or breathed around in the room? I'm not sure it would be a safe way of doing it, but that would be the way that it would have to happen.</p></div>107370062020-05-04T16:35:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10737006
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I'll let the Clerk answer this one.</p></div>107370172020-05-04T16:39:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10737017
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">At this time, Skype is approved for in camera meetings. The meeting we had for the Board of Internal Economy was in camera. That's why we had to shift to Skype. </p><p style="">What we're doing right now with Zoom is something that's very public and out there so that everyone can see what's going on in Parliament or in this virtual COVID-19 committee—</p></div>107370192020-05-04T16:40:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10737019
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">At this time, if there's a meeting that foresees a need to go in camera, I would recommend going with Skype. That would be the way to go. As far as—</p></div>107370212020-05-04T16:40:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10737021
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">You know what? That's a party issue. I'm not sure I'm qualified to comment on that aspect. You would have to consult with your party. The individual parties would determine the platform they would use.</p></div>107370362020-05-04T16:45:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10737036
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">There weren't really any problems, no. Everything went pretty well. Little things will always happen, but nothing major has been reported, and everything continues to go well so far.</p></div>107370412020-05-04T16:46:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10737041
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That happens between the parties themselves and between the House leaders. It's actually quite refreshing to see the House leaders work together and come together with a certain amount of agreement. I hope you continue to do that.</p></div>107370442020-05-04T16:46:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10737044
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I'll answer the first part and then hand it over to the Clerk, who can talk about the Standing Orders specifically.</p><p style="">In committees of the whole and emergency debates, there are actually five-minute questions that allow an exchange between the person asking the question and the person answering the question. This allows for more in-depth questions to be asked and for more in-depth answers to be given. I think we get a lot better debate that way, as opposed to what we have now with 35-second questions and 35-second answers. This 35-second format results in more of a “gotcha” session on both sides, regardless of who's asking or who's answering.</p><p style="">This was brought into place in the late nineties, when we had five parties, and they were trying to give people more chances to ask questions. Extending the amount of time for the questions allows members to go in depth, and it gives us, I believe, a better performance on the floor. It's something that I'm asking this committee to look at, not only for virtual meetings but also for the floor of the House of Commons when question period takes place.</p></div>107370502020-05-04T16:49:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10737050
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">This is certainly something that the committee should look at, not only for virtual meetings but also for all the rules in the House. I would encourage the committee to explore the possibilities that are out there and how we can bring them back. It will require a longer time to ensure recommendations are well thought out, but the committee should certainly consider possible changes not only to virtual sittings but to electronic voting within the House. It would be a lot quicker and more efficient for all members to push a button. There would have to be some security and, as I say, a lot more thought has to go into it, but I would certainly encourage the committee to consider it. </p></div>107370602020-05-04T16:53:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - 2020-05-04Committee Evidence - PROC-14 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-05-04 16:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10737060
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> Thank you, Madam Chair.</p></div>107361782020-05-01T14:39:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - INAN-6 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - INAN-6 - Hon. Carolyn Bennett (2020-05-01 14:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10736178
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BennettCarolyn_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Carolyn Bennett</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto—St. Paul's, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/992<p style=""> Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is an honour to appear virtually before this committee for this important study on COVID-19 in indigenous communities.</p><p style="">While the House of Commons is on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin people, I am joining you today from my constituency in Toronto, on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We honour all the indigenous people who paddled these waters and whose moccasins walked these lands. I would also like to recognize the traditional territories from which all of you are participating today.</p><p style="">Our officials—Daniel Watson, Ross Pattee and Jeff Moore—will be on the next panel supporting us, but I, like Minister Miller, want to thank our parliamentary secretaries, who meet with us every morning at 9:15. Pam, Gary and Yvonne have done extraordinary work, which has been spread out, and important suggestions have been brought to us.</p><p style="">We know that from the beginning of the threat of this pandemic, all Canadians were concerned that first nations, Métis and Inuit would be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. We know that long-standing social and economic inequalities and inequities mean that indigenous communities are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and that the impact of an outbreak in indigenous communities would be greater. </p><p style="">We continue to be impressed with the impressive response of communities that since H1N1 have worked hard to develop their pandemic plans. They have now been able to execute their plans and keep their communities safe. Our hearts are with those whose communities have lost a loved one, particularly the 'Namgis First Nation, which recently lost a beloved elder. </p><p style="">Our primary focus has been to ensure that we all work in partnership with indigenous communities, as we know they are the best placed to act on the needs of their members so they can ensure that everyone is safe and healthy.</p><p style="">We are seeing community-driven solutions that are working. We were very proud to support the initiative of Dene Regional Chief Yakeleya in the Northwest Territories. Families there chose to return to the land as a way to protect themselves from the virus and promote healing and mental health.</p><p style="">Having strong leadership and strong collaboration and coordination across the board is how we have been addressing this pandemic. Indigenous leaders have demonstrated their tremendous resilience, innovation and leadership, and they must continue to be involved in decision-making at all levels to ensure that the supports the Government of Canada provides to address COVID-19 meet the real needs in their communities. We have worked the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission, the First Nations Finance Authority and a broad range of indigenous organizations that are developing the measures they need to support communities. </p><p style="">Protecting women and children from domestic violence during this pandemic has also been an important issue that needed to be addressed. We invested an additional $10 million to support shelters in first nations communities during this pandemic. I am working with Minister Monsef and her provincial and territorial partners to further the work on the shadow pandemic of violence against women and the need to address the calls for justice on missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, two-spirit people and those who are LGBTQQIA.</p><p style="">COVID-19 underlines the importance of reflecting on the difference between the medical model, in which I was trained, and the medicine wheel. It is time to reflect on achieving more health—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually—so that we reduce the burden on our health care systems. That's what flattening the curve means. It is the knowledge keepers and healers focused on the well-being of all in a very holistic way. It's time that we listen to them.</p><p style="">Tommy Douglas stated that the goal of medicare was to keep people well, not just patch them up when they get sick. That's what the pandemic is teaching us as we stay home, wash our hands and physically distance. Flattening the curve means reducing the number of those who get sick so that we can stay within the capacity of our beloved and cherished health care system. It means more health so that we need less health care.</p><p style="">COVID-19 has finally convinced all Canadians that health promotion and disease prevention must be our priority.</p><p style="">Thank you for all you are doing in your communities. You set the example of coming together while remaining apart for everyone's good during the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to your questions and your advice. We are indeed stronger together.</p><p style="">Meegwetch. Marci. Nakurmiik. Thank you. Merci.</p></div>107362022020-05-01T15:05:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - INAN-6 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - INAN-6 - Hon. Carolyn Bennett (2020-05-01 15:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10736202
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BennettCarolyn_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Carolyn Bennett</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto—St. Paul's, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/992<p style="">Ms. Bérubé, I think Mr. Miller is the best person to answer your question.</p></div>107344522020-05-01T11:59:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10734452
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Mr. Chair, members of the committee, it's a pleasure to be with you today virtually to talk about an update on the measures taken by the government to address the COVID-19 pandemic as they pertain to my portfolio.</p><p style="">I'd like to highlight that today is International Workers' Day. Today, we recognize the millions of workers who go to work every day, and we're reminded of their health and safety at work and how important their health and safety is. This is true now more than ever in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p style="">I'd like to thank the committee for its study on the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your work is essential to our democratic process. I know the value of the work that you do. In fact, HUMA was the committee that I sat on.</p><p style="">I'll start by summarizing the support measures the government has taken for workers, and in particular essential workers. Some exceptional, but necessary, measures have been taken to protect and support Canadian businesses and workers during this crisis.</p><p style="">Businesses across Canada have had to dramatically alter or shut down their operations in an effort to help flatten the curve, and this has had an enormous impact on employers and workers alike. To help Canadian workers impacted by COVID-19 put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, the government introduced the Canada emergency response benefit. I am aware of the fact that my colleague, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, has already appeared in front of the committee to discuss this benefit.</p><p style="">To ensure that workers can take time off work to deal with situations related to COVID-19, such as school closures and self-quarantine, we've also created a new leave under the Canada Labour Code, and we are waiving the medical certificate requirements to make it easier for federally regulated workers to access existing leave benefits. While the new leave is unpaid, workers taking it may be eligible to access the Canada emergency response benefit.</p><p style="">My colleague, the Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance, has been leading the work being done to provide extra income support to our essential workers during this very critical time, if they're earning less than $2,500 a month. These are people on the front line in hospitals and nursing homes, those ensuring the integrity of the food supply, or those providing essential retail services to Canadians. They all play a vital role in providing essential services to Canadians. Their work is essential to our country's well-being, and on behalf of all Canadians, I'd like to thank them for the very important work they do.</p><p style="">Now, I'd like to say a few words about what we've done with leaders in government, labour and industry regarding the support for workers and employers during the COVID-19 crisis.</p><p style="">I am in constant contact with labour and employer organizations in all sectors so that the government can be abreast of concerns on the front lines. </p><p style="">I led a conference of the federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers to coordinate efforts across government to make sure that workplaces for essential workers remain safe during the COVID-19 crisis. We also recently met via teleconference with employers and representatives from labour to discuss the steps we've taken so far to ensure that workplaces are safe, workers are protected and businesses and the Canadian economy are as strong as they can be. This meeting resulted in a joint statement underlining the need for collaboration on the part of labour, industry and government to make sure that workplaces remain safe for Canadians, for Canada's essential workers.</p><p style="">We agreed that the situation continues to evolve, and we must remain flexible and adaptable in how we respond. Above all, we must continue to work together. Working together will yield better results because we can share common goals to protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadian workers. We are also collaborating so that Canadian businesses are able to come back and ensure the economy can recover by getting people back to work safely after the crisis ends. We're going to continue to work together to achieve these goals today and down the road.</p><p style="">I'd now like to talk about the measures the government is taking to protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of their employees in the workplace.</p><p style=""> Working with employees and health and safety committees, employers are required to update and create their own hazard prevention programs, including measures to ensure employees are not exposed to conditions that would be harmful to their health and safety while working.</p><p style="">We know that exposure to COVID-19 is a new phenomenon. We also know that we must take this matter very seriously. We encourage employers to seek guidance from appropriate authorities, including the Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization, for information on preventative measures that should be taken.</p><p style="">The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, under the direction of its CEO Anne Tennier, has been doing excellent work in response to the COVID-19 crisis. They have very rapidly developed a series of pandemic guidance tip sheets and made them available for free on their website. These pandemic tip sheets offer guidance and good practices for specific occupations, industries and services for both employees and employers. The CCOHS has also provided an online space called Pandemic Info Share. This enables businesses and organizations to share their pandemic-related good practices and resources. </p><p style="">We know that employers are following guidance and measures from the appropriate authorities, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, to make sure their employees are safe during this critical time. We also know that most employers are doing their best to accommodate reasonable requests from employees who are grappling with the wide-ranging disruptions caused by COVID-19, and I want to thank them for their efforts. For example, there are many workers who have to stay at home to care for their children who are out of school. In some cases they are able to complete some or all of their work from home.</p><p style="">That being said, I know there are many employees who are nervous every day about heading back to work or restarting work. That is why we've reached out to employers and their representatives to remind them of the employers' responsibility under the code. If there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19, employers have an obligation to identify and assess the risk and implement proper controls through their hazard prevention programs. Employees subject to part II of the code have the right to refuse work if they have a reasonable basis to believe their duties present a danger to health and safety. Every workplace and every situation is unique and when a refusal to work cannot be resolved internally, the labour program will investigate. </p><p style="">We are committed to supporting and protecting workers and businesses. As I mentioned, the government has taken a number of unprecedented but necessary steps to support Canadian workers and businesses during this COVID-19 outbreak. </p><p style="">As we continue to monitor the ongoing and continuously evolving situation, we will remain open to exploring additional measures that could further help workers during this time. That means continuing to work with leaders from labour and industry and with other stakeholders to ensure that what we have in place right now is working and, of course, is corrected if need be. We are committed to ensuring that workers and businesses have the protections and support they need, while keeping essential goods and services flowing to Canadians.</p><p style="">With that, Mr. Chair, I conclude my preliminary remarks. Thank you very much for your attention. </p></div>107344552020-05-01T12:09:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10734455
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">MP Doherty, first, with respect to the workers, everybody is working very hard in this very challenging time—</p></div>107344572020-05-01T12:09:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10734457
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style=""> I believe I am aware of the correspondence that was written. Let me say that we are getting correspondence on a regular basis, and my team is— </p></div>107344592020-05-01T12:10:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10734459
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">We're getting correspondence every day. Volumes of correspondence are coming in. I'm not specifically sure with respect to which letter. We've received a number of letters—</p></div>107344612020-05-01T12:10:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10734461
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">There are different letters. I will say that most of the letters that we have received in my portfolio relate specifically to the PPE, yes. </p></div>107344632020-05-01T12:10:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10734463
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">That is in process. We are now working through responding to the various pieces of correspondence that we have received. My team is working very hard to respond to the volumes of correspondence that are coming in.</p></div>107344652020-05-01T12:11:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10734465
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">What I would say in response to that is that our government is very much aware of the PPE that is needed. We are working very hard with procurement in order to secure as much PPE as we possibly can. </p></div>107344672020-05-01T12:12:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10734467
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">In regard to working with the various sectors, I'm working with Minister Garneau on this particular file. I want to add that we are working collaboratively with each of the sectors—</p></div>107344692020-05-01T12:13:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:13)?PubType=40017&Item=10734469
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">—in order that the materials be provided. </p></div>107344712020-05-01T12:14:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10734471
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Absolutely, MP Doherty, and I know that Minister Garneau has been working closely with the airline sector.</p><p style="">The other issue that I would raise—</p></div>107344832020-05-01T12:20:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10734483
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style=""> Thanks, MP Young.</p><p style="">I'm very happy you made reference to the day of mourning. The Speaker began the first day, when we had our first session, with that acknowledgement. It was really important and very good to see, as it was for us as members of Parliament to take the time to acknowledge those who have suffered injuries or loss as a result of workplace situations.</p><p style="">With respect to protecting workers, there's no question; first and foremost, it's really important to talk about the collaborative piece. Collaboration on this file is extremely important. Right from the beginning, I reached out to all my provincial and territorial partners. I had individual calls with those partners, and subsequent to that convened an FPT meeting, where we gathered together to talk about issues. In that meeting, I brought to the table the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. That was really important, because from across the provinces and territories there was this issue about wanting evidence and standards or tips in order to provide workers with what they need to keep them safe on the front lines. </p><p style="">That meeting was very helpful. As a result of that, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has now created sector-specific tips. The evidence-based approach on the PPE is critical, because we want to ensure that we're using the PPE the best way we can. These sector-specific tips, which are based as well on the Public Health Agency of Canada's guidelines, are giving employees the recommended protection they need in order to carry on safely. That was very important.</p><p style="">In addition to that, the Minister of Public Services and Procurement has committed $2 billion to purchase PPE so that PPE can get to the places it needs to be distributed. We're working with the provinces and territories on that.</p><p style="">In addition to this, the Minister of Innovation has started this plan to mobilize industry launch. Here it's about companies stepping up who have expertise and are able to assist in this regard. I think this is so important. In my own riding, I have had companies come forward who were making, for example, sports apparel and who now want to make gowns. That's happening across the country, which is fantastic. There have been 2,900 conversations instituted as a result of that. With the option of trying to get Canadian products, 22,000 companies have come forward and submissions have been made with respect to getting that product available.</p><p style="">In addition to that, as I said in my introductory remarks, we instituted an unpaid leave. That was about ensuring that federally regulated workers who take time off because of COVID-19 do not lose their jobs. We also waived the medical certificate requirement, making it easier in these very challenging times. </p><p style="">Those are some of the initiatives.</p></div>107344852020-05-01T12:24:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10734485
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">I'm really happy you raised this question, because as I engage with both labour and industry, mental health is something that comes up repeatedly. We know that workers are facing great anxiety and pressure, and we want to be able to respond.</p><p style="">In terms of my own work, with 20 years as a high school chaplain, I came to recognize the difference that a little bit of mental health support can provide. It's critical that we move forward on this and provide these extra supports. There are resources out there that are excellent. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has a resource that you can go online and access.</p><p style="">Recently, Health Canada launched a Wellness Together portal. This is a fantastic portal. I would encourage everyone on this call to spread the information about this portal. It's a fantastic source, going from your being able to do a self-assessment right to the point of your being able to speak to somebody. This is something that I heard there was a great need for. I know the labour program is sharing this. It is a real step forward in responding to a legitimate need that exists among our workers.</p></div>107344872020-05-01T12:26:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10734487
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style=""> Sorry. I didn't have the translation.</p></div>107344902020-05-01T12:29:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10734490
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Thank you for your question, Ms. Chabot.</p><p style="">Thanks also for your kind words and for the level of collaboration you have demonstrated. I know we have had a meeting and you have been very gracious with your time in terms of providing me with input as we move forward, and I deeply appreciate that. This is another example of that.</p><p style="">I take your points with respect to tourism. You know that in my portfolio the focus is on health and safety of workers. That said, I work across my departments and ministries in order to ensure that, when we recover from this, the best recovery is possible.</p><p style="">The measures the government has put in place have been all about, first, protecting those who are most vulnerable, who need help immediately, and second, trying to continue the collaborative relationship, or the relationship that exists between employer and employee, so that after COVID-19, when we're in the recovery stage, those relationships can continue. That means providing supports such as the wage subsidy, CERB and rental relief. All these measures are about when we hit that recovery stage, to ensure that workers and employers can continue and recover quickly, because we want a strong recovery from this.</p><p style="">I want you to know that I've heard your concerns in regard to the tourism industry. In my conversations, I've heard those concerns and appreciate that input.</p></div>107344932020-05-01T12:32:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10734493
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Thank you for that question.</p><p style="">In terms of a follow-up on whether there's going to be requalification, I will say that this is an evolving situation. You've seen the measures that our government has implemented. We continue to respond to the situation as it evolves in order to protect workers. We want to, of course, give a restart to all those companies. Tourism is a big sector. We will continue to look at the situation.</p><p style="">I appreciate your concern with respect to the pension funds. You know that in my previous ministry as minister of seniors, this is something that was very important to me. I will say that we will continue to work across ministries in order to do the best we can to protect seniors.</p><p style=""> Some of the initiatives that we implemented as a government were very important, for example, rolling back the age of eligibility for the OAS and the GIS. That gave seniors two years of extra funds. There was also the $100 million for the new horizons for seniors program. These are all programs that support seniors.</p><p style=""> I hear very clearly what you are saying, and I want to let you know that we absolutely want to protect seniors.</p></div>107344962020-05-01T12:34:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10734496
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Scott, thanks for your good wishes at the beginning. I should say, “MP Duvall”. In Hamilton, we have a relationship here.</p><p style="">I'm not fully understanding your question. Are you saying that they're applying for CERB but are not getting CERB, or are you talking about the subagreements?</p></div>107344982020-05-01T12:35:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10734498
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">No, that matter has not been brought to my attention. Having said that, it may have been brought to the attention of the finance or the employment minister. For me, as you know, the focus is health and safety. With respect to the Minister of Employment, it's CERB, and with respect to the wage subsidy, it would be finance and business.</p></div>107345002020-05-01T12:35:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10734500
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Very good. I'll follow up with you on that.</p></div>107345152020-05-01T12:37:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10734515
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Thanks, MP Duvall, for that important question. </p><p style="">I would say this is a situation that is evolving continuously. What we have done as a government is we've put in place targeted measures. For example, CERB was for those individuals and families who went from a paycheque to nothing; they needed to put food on the table and they needed to pay rent, so that's what we have done.</p><p style="">As we move through the process, in terms of protecting, we are continuously looking at anyone who falls through the cracks, at those individuals who need more assistance.</p><p style="">On the point you're raising, I would say that the measures we have implemented have been very specific, with the intention of trying to help companies survive this, so that when recovery comes, they can recover. That's why we have the implementation of the wage subsidy. We want companies to get through this. The federal government is providing 75% of wages to employees. The reason we're doing this is that we want that company to get through this difficult time.</p><p style="">The other measures we've taken are with respect to rental supports, liquidity and loans for small businesses. They can borrow up to $40,000 and have 25% of that—$10,000—forgiven. All of these initiatives are about tackling the very thing you're talking about, which is trying to keep businesses going so that those workers will have work and so those people who have dedicated so much of their effort to creating a business are going to be supported in the recovery stage to get that business to come back.</p></div>107345172020-05-01T12:39:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10734517
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Scott, I know this is something you have advocated for a long time. You and I have had many conversations about this. I appreciate those conversations.</p><p style="">This is what I would say. You and I are on the same page in terms of protecting the worker. We want to ensure, at the end of the day, that workers who have committed years of service are protected. Having said that, with respect to the superpriority, which is something you've advocated for, I have concerns about that particular approach.</p><p style=""> However, there has been a commitment that I have made to you that we are going to continue to work on this. In fact, in the last budget, there was money set aside so we could continue to work on this. This is in addition to this pandemic that we've hit now, and I look forward to continuing to work with you on this matter. It's not specifically my portfolio, but as you know, it's a matter that's very important to me.</p></div>107345202020-05-01T12:41:23-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10734520
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style=""> As you can appreciate, long-term care facilities and how they are managed is a provincial jurisdiction.</p></div>107345222020-05-01T12:41:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10734522
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Yes. The federal government has committed $2 billion to purchase and distribute PPE among the provinces and territories to provide those workers in health care and long-term care with the supports they need.</p></div>107345242020-05-01T12:41:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10734524
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">At this stage we are amassing as much personal protective equipment as we possibly can to reach the needs that are there. I know that the Minister of Public Services and Procurement—</p></div>107345262020-05-01T12:42:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10734526
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">In response to the issues that have been raised with me, there are a couple of things.</p><p style=""> First, we need to know what PPE is needed. I think PHAC has been very good with that, giving guidance as to what is needed for protection. Second, our government understands this. We want those front-line workers protected, absolutely, which is why not only did we invest $2 billion to get that PPE to protect those workers, but we've also introduced a mobilization fund whereby companies are coming forward and providing PPE—</p></div>107345282020-05-01T12:43:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10734528
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">In long-term care, work refusals and workplace safety are governed by provincial laws. On the federal level, we have the Canada Labour Code, and that applies to all federally regulated workers. If a worker goes into a situation and says the workplace isn't safe, they can undertake a process to ensure they are never forced to work in a dangerous work site.</p></div>107345302020-05-01T12:44:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10734530
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">No, I wouldn't say that. The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued guidelines on standards, and the premiers of each of the provinces and territories have, in my mind, accepted them. I think that's a fantastic start federally where they're showing leadership and saying what they need to do. In addition to that, we have provided $2 billion as a federal government. </p><p style="">On the point you made, I can appreciate that because we have the same thing happening in my community where people who have PPE and are able to offer it do so. More than that, it's asking companies that if they can retool, if they can do something a little differently, then do that.</p></div>107345332020-05-01T12:45:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10734533
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">The stockpile is a different issue. We have to go way above and beyond in this pandemic. We need to work together in innovative ways, and I think our government is showing strong leadership in this regard.</p><p style="">The Minister of Innovation has taken unprecedented steps, and I want to thank Canadians—I've seen it in my own riding—who are stepping forward, who are making changes to their companies on their own dime and then retooling to provide the PPE. Yes, the government will buy that PPE from them if they satisfy Health Canada's standards, but Canadians are responding to this in an absolutely stellar way.</p><p style=""> I want to assure you that this is all hands on deck. We are doing everything we possibly can to ensure that every worker has the PPE they need.</p></div>107345362020-05-01T12:48:49-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10734536
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">MP Long, thanks for that question. </p><p style="">I think it's very important that we take a moment to recognize the times we're in and the dedication and commitment of workers across this country. There are workers who have gone into this and assumed roles where there might be some level of risk. I think of health care workers. The pandemic has raised this to a whole other level. Then we have other workers who now have this risk, some of whom you've mentioned, whether they're driving trucks, stocking shelves at the local grocery store or working at the checkout counter so that we can put food on our table.</p><p style="">We want to show them that we appreciate what they're doing and that we want to support them. These are absolutely unprecedented times. We wanted to, as a federal government, demonstrate the support and the gratitude and appreciation that we have. </p><p style="">The federal government has announced that we will be working with provinces and territories to provide a top-up of salaries for various essential service workers. This is something that is, again, very collaborative. It's going to be worked out with each of the provinces and territories. Ontario and Quebec, I think, sort of have a framework. I don't know that it has actually been finalized, but the idea here is that we want to recognize the heroic work. I'm very happy that you've asked the question.</p><p style="">In addition to this—I think of, for example, some students who are working at the local grocery store part time—we've also allowed workers who earn $1,000 or less to be able to collect the emergency response benefit. I think this is really important, particularly for workers such as PSWs, who were working three positions and are now down to one. They can earn $1,000 at their work and still be eligible for the emergency response benefit. </p><p style="">The last thing I would say on this relates to the point that MP Doherty brought up. It's about my conversations with stakeholders. I have to tell you that my time is spent in dialogue and in conversation, across party lines, with my PT partners in labour and industry. I am getting input first-hand from these groups. There was a real need to recognize the work that these front-line workers were doing. </p></div>107345402020-05-01T12:52:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10734540
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">My focus, MP Doherty, on this has been about the health and safety of all of our workers.</p></div>107345422020-05-01T12:52:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10734542
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">My main priority and what I've heard in all of my conversations has to do with two things. One is identifying what is needed, and the other is doing the best that we possibly can in order to protect workers. </p></div>107345442020-05-01T12:53:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10734544
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">With respect to the situation with Mission, I know that Correctional Services Canada brought experts in. Minister Blair is the lead on that, but I am aware of the situation. The experts were brought in, and changes were made in order to accommodate the issues that were identified by employees in order to provide—</p></div>107345462020-05-01T12:54:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10734546
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Let me assure you that I'm working with my colleagues on each of these issues. The letter that you referred to, for example, with Minister Garneau.... We are working together. With respect to public health and safety and corrections, I am working with Minister Blair. </p><p style="">In answer to your question, yes, we are working together to get the PPE and to help get those supports in place, but for the transport issue, that's Transport Canada. </p><p style="">Finally let me say that if, for example, a Correctional Services officer has an issue and says they don't feel that it is a safe work site, they have the ability to make that complaint through the Canada Labour Code.</p></div>107345482020-05-01T12:55:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10734548
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">I would say in response to that question that we are working extremely hard to assist all levels in order to get them the PPE. PPE is being provided to various sectors, and I am working with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement. I have done assessments with respect to all the stakeholders that I have identified and what PPE is required. FETCO, for example, has provided me with a list and other union leaders have provided me with lists, and we then respond to what is needed.</p></div>107345502020-05-01T12:57:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10734550
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style=""> Yes. I'm very happy you asked that question. I have weekly calls with Monsieur Laporte of Teamsters Canada and the trucking association. I have regular calls as well in order to determine what the needs are. </p><p style="">In terms of rest stops, my team has made calls, as Minister Garneau has, in order to assist in having certain rest stops along all highways open up so that truckers can have access to those rest stops. Together, as I mentioned previously, we did have industry and labour meet. A joint statement was issued with respect to how we are working collaboratively and sharing information. I think that's really important, because we have to know where the needs are so that we can best respond to them.</p><p style="">So yes, we've done quite a bit in this regard. We'll continue to work together in order to ensure that our truckers have the support they need.</p></div>107345532020-05-01T12:58:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10734553
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">It is. It's exclusive jurisdiction. In addition to that, though, the Public Health Agency of Canada has worked with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Seniors and provided guidelines suggesting—</p></div>107345552020-05-01T12:59:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 12:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10734555
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Correct. </p></div>107345642020-05-01T13:00:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 13:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10734564
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">Yes, MP Vaughan, and thanks for raising this. It's really about us working collaboratively. We as a federal government want to provide the support, but it's up to each of the provinces and territories to determine how that support is distributed. We think that's important, because they are in each of the communities. They know their communities better than anyone else does.</p></div>107345572020-05-01T13:00:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 13:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10734557
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">That's correct.</p></div>107345612020-05-01T13:01:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - 2020-05-01Committee Evidence - HUMA-7 - Hon. Filomena Tassi (2020-05-01 13:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10734561
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/TassiFilomena_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Filomena Tassi</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88784<p style="">That's my understanding. We are doing absolutely everything we can. Even though this is a provincial jurisdiction matter, the federal government isn't quibbling about jurisdictions. We are working very hard to get as much PPE as we possibly can and then provide it to our provincial and territorial partners. </p></div>107335812020-04-30T18:04:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10733581
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and committee members.</p><p style=""> Before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to express my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones as well as the crew members of HMCS Fredericton who were affected by yesterday's tragic accident involving the crash of a Royal Canadian Navy helicopter, carrying six members of the Canadian Armed Forces, off the coast of Greece. As our Prime Minister said today, all of them are heroes. Our Canadian Armed Forces members serve our country with amazing dignity and courage.</p><p style="">Mr. Chair, I am pleased to be here with you today as we continue our important work to support Canadians and protect them from the COVID-19 virus and its inevitable consequences. There is no question that we have to continue working together, and quickly, to ensure that Canadians have the supports they need. That is why our government implemented an emergency response plan to protect Canadians' health and shelter them from the financial hardships that are resulting from this pandemic.</p><p style="">As the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and as the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, I'm proud to present the government's COVID-19 plan and related measures under my portfolio. </p><p style="">To help families with the cost of caring for their children during this challenging time, the Government of Canada is providing a one-time enhancement to the Canada child benefit. This means that families who are currently eligible for the Canada child benefit will receive an extra $300 per child as part of their May 2020 payment. There is no need to apply for this additional amount. </p><p style="">Committee members, as the COVID-19 situation evolves, Canadians are becoming more and more concerned about their ability to pay their rent and their mortgages. </p><p style="">This situation underscores how crucial it is to make sure that everyone has a safe place to call home.</p><p style="">That is why we have put measures in place to help Canadians stay in their homes and find appropriate shelter to protect themselves and their families. Our first and foremost defence measure for all Canadians who are financially impacted by COVID-19, whether they are homeowners, landlords or renters, is the Canada emergency response benefit. This being said, it is important to note that housing providers have a most important role to play in safeguarding public health and protecting our economy. We are all in this together. </p><p style="">This is how the government is taking concrete action to help Canadians find a place to call home.</p><p style="">There is help available for homeowners who are having difficulty paying their mortgage due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If their mortgage is insured through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Genworth Canada or Canada Guaranty, the government has put the following options in place: temporary short-term deferral of mortgage payments for up to six months; loan re-amortization, making lower mortgage payments over a longer period of time; adding missed payments to the mortgage balance and spreading them over the repayment period; or a combination of the above options. Canada's six major banks and mortgage lenders have announced measures to support all homeowners in the eventualities where mortgages would not be insured by CMHC. </p><p style="">Landlords who are having financial difficulties also have access to the same relief measures as homeowners, such as mortgage payment deferral. These measures will allow landlords to show compassion and patience to their tenants in these extraordinary times. </p><p style="">Tenants who cannot pay their rent because of financial difficulties related to COVID-19 should contact their landlord. All provinces and most territories, representing nearly all of Canada's population, have issued full or partial eviction bans. The government expects housing providers to act compassionately and refrain from evicting their fellow Canadians, especially housing providers who have received funding support or mortgage insurance from CMHC.</p><p style=""> It is also important that renters, homeowners and tenants who are still able to pay their rent do so on a regular basis. Canadians must continue to remember that financial relief measures are for those who need it the most.</p><p style="">The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada is also having real and tangible public health, economic and safety impacts on all Canadians. Those experiencing homelessness are at a heightened risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. The government has to ensure that the sector serving the homeless has the support it needs to prepare for, prevent and manage any COVID-19 outbreaks.</p><p style="">In addition to the $157.5-million investment announced to support people experiencing homelessness through the existing federal program called reaching home, the government has provided $15 million to help the large urban centres that faced immediate and urgent needs at the start of the pandemic. This includes funding to purchase beds and physical barriers for social distancing and to secure additional accommodation space to reduce overcrowding in shelters. The government is investing this money quickly through our existing community partners. In addition, we also moved $50 million directly to women's shelters to enable them to deal with the consequences of COVID-19. This funding will enable communities to quickly invest in services that have the most impact based on their circumstances and needs.</p><p style="">Last, we acted quickly to support charities and non-profit organizations. These organizations have always been at the forefront in helping the most vulnerable in our communities. At a time when they're being called on to do more by more Canadians, they're finding that they're facing unprecedented challenges as there is a drop in donations and a drop in the number of volunteers available to deliver their services. That is why we made sure these organizations were eligible for the wage subsidy. We also announced a $350-million emergency support fund that will help the sector respond to COVID-19.</p><p style="">Committee members, we are all in this together. By addressing the financial needs of Canadians, the government is doing its part to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect Canadians during this pandemic.</p><p style="">Thank you, and I will be very happy to answer any questions you may have.</p></div>107335852020-04-30T18:14:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10733585
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Mr. Chair, we are, as a government, really committed to ensuring that Canadians have access to the benefits that are provided by Service Canada which they rely on. </p><p style="">After reviewing our operations, we closed in-person Service Canada offices to limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure for our clients. Then we redeployed our focus to online and telephone services, which continue to remain open to better serve Canadians. We quickly implemented solutions to ensure that Canadians without access to reliable Internet connections would continue to be served. We also made sure that we have continuing direct community outreach to rural communities and vulnerable communities. We have created special phone lines for vulnerable Canadians to speak with Service Canada agents. </p><p style="">Our top priority remains ensuring that Canadians can get the benefits they need while protecting their health and safety.</p><p style="">I want to also invite my officials to provide a bit more detail on the regional aspect of the questions that you asked.</p></div>107335882020-04-30T18:16:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10733588
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Obviously members of Parliament have a role in advocating on behalf of their constituents, but at the same time the services of Service Canada are available to all Canadians regardless of who they have consulted first. In fact, on that point, not only do we have an MP line but we now have added an email service that can be used by members of Parliament, and the service standard there is actually pretty good. We commit to getting back to all members of Parliament within two business days.</p></div>107335902020-04-30T18:18:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10733590
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Mr. Chair, how much time do I have to answer that question?</p></div>107336002020-04-30T18:18:26-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10733600
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">I would just say that we've had unprecedented volumes. I know that our officials and our team are doing everything they can to make sure we are serving Canadians promptly, but we are dealing in a context of really unprecedented demand in terms of the volume of calls.</p></div>107336042020-04-30T18:20:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10733604
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Mr. Chair, we recognize that many indigenous communities are facing unique and unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We're closely monitoring the situation. Our priority is to protect the health, safety and well-being of indigenous communities during this really challenging time.</p><p style="">Across the federal government, various relief measures are under way and new funding is available to support indigenous communities and housing providers in managing this pandemic. We continue to explore other solutions and flexibilities that will alleviate some of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Through CMHC, we've introduced loan payment deferrals, reporting and agreement flexibilities, workarounds for on-site progress inspections and have stopped subsidy suspensions to support indigenous communities, housing providers and homeowners during this difficult time.</p><p style="">CMHC is also working hard to ensure funding continues to flow for on-reserve programs that help build new housing and repair existing housing while being sensitive to the working environments of many indigenous communities right now that have needed to close or restrict access to their communities. </p></div>107336052020-04-30T18:22:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10733605
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Funding for capacity development and skill training is also available to indigenous communities. Most of all, we're trying to ensure that indigenous communities know that we're here for them. We will continue to work with them, and deal with any difficulties or financial hardship they encounter. </p></div>107336082020-04-30T18:23:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10733608
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">The consultation process is ongoing. </p><p style="">I also want to emphasize that despite the pandemic, the national housing strategy programs continue uninterrupted. Through the national housing strategy, we co-developed distinctions-based housing strategies with our partners in first nations, Métis and Inuit communities that are founded on the principles of self- determination, reconciliation, respect and co-operation and backed by more than $1.5 billion in investments. We also invested nearly $650 million to support indigenous households in community housing and for indigenous housing projects through the national housing co-investment fund. </p><p style="">We will proceed to work with our indigenous partners to—</p></div>107336112020-04-30T18:25:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:25)?PubType=40017&Item=10733611
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">The seasonal workers now have access to the Canada emergency response benefit. We made that change in response to the advocacy to be included in the CERB.</p></div>107336172020-04-30T18:27:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10733617
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> This is an area that I was very sensitive to right at the very beginning of the pandemic. We moved very quickly to get some initial money out the door to the five major urban centres that have the majority of Canada's homeless individuals.</p><p style=""> On top of that, we flowed money to the community entities, including those in Toronto, to the tune of $157.5 million. We got that money out very fast, and it's important to note that this money is additional to the regular Reaching Home money that we fund every year to the community entities. The City of Toronto got over $22 million when you include the additional Reaching Home money plus the additional money that we got out the door quickly.</p><p style="">The second key point about the money that we got out as part of the COVID-19-related Reaching Home money is that we made the decision to make the use of that money by the community entities and the front-line organizations as flexible as possible, so that as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, they can use that money for whatever purposes that they need to, either to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 among the homeless population and/or to contain any potential outbreak.</p><p style="">We've given them the flexibility to acquire hotel rooms and motel rooms and to acquire personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies and so on. We've really freed their hands for them to be able to respond as they see fit in terms of what the local circumstances demand.</p></div>107336192020-04-30T18:30:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10733619
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> Our government's priority is making sure that Canadians are able to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads at this difficult time, so our first focus was making sure that we got money out the door and into the pockets and hands of Canadian workers and Canadian families. That is why we introduced the Canada emergency response benefit, which has already provided income support to millions of Canadians, and the Canada emergency wage subsidy, which launched on April 27. We also gave families a top-up to the Canada child benefit and gave Canadian individuals and couples an increase in the GST tax credit.</p><p style="">Before COVID-19, as you know, in Ontario we had signed the Canada-Ontario housing benefit, which is also meant to help people from vulnerable populations with rent affordability. All 10 provinces have implemented a form of eviction freeze, and we commend them for taking this action.</p><p style="">We will continue to look at all options possible to boost funding for Canadians and to provide help in this area. It's essentially a provincial jurisdiction, but we have also made sure that we've put money into the pockets of Canadians so that they can pay their rent and pay for their other necessary expenses.</p></div>107336232020-04-30T18:32:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10733623
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">I want to begin by saying that there are additional Reaching Home dollars on top of the regular Reaching Home funding. With those two additional amounts, with the money that has been freed in their regular approaches to homelessness, municipalities have extra fiscal room to be able to actually purchase these properties. We are providing—</p></div>107336252020-04-30T18:34:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10733625
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">I can answer that. I didn't really get to finish my response. </p><p style="">Basically, I believe that we have provided a lot of support to communities. We've given them not only the flexibility to respond to COVID-19 but also the flexibility to determine how to approach the acquisition of properties and so on. However, if we are serious about finding long-term solutions to homelessness, we can, of course, through the national housing strategy, and we have been providing capital dollars to house people permanently. </p><p style="">The fact of the matter is that this is a whole-of-society approach. The provinces also have to step up to provide supportive services, supportive housing—</p></div>107336272020-04-30T18:35:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10733627
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Oh, absolutely.</p></div>107336292020-04-30T18:36:03-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10733629
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> I don't agree with your numbers.</p></div>107336312020-04-30T18:36:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10733631
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">I think we have a philosophical difference, because many of your positions are related to giving the money outright to the municipality of Vancouver. What we believe federally is that—</p></div>107336332020-04-30T18:36:41-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10733633
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">If I could just finish my answer—</p></div>107336352020-04-30T18:37:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10733635
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">I thought you were making a statement. I didn't hear the question. Sorry.</p></div>107336372020-04-30T18:38:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10733637
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Absolutely, and $207.5 million, when you add the $50 million to the $157.5 million, is a significant investment for COVID-19-related homelessness, but the national housing strategy of $55 billion hasn't stopped. We are continuing and we're welcoming projects. I welcome any project from any non-profit organization, in your constituency and beyond, through the national housing strategy co-investment fund. </p><p style="">We haven't stopped. As long as an organization can convince the province to get the supportive services, we will provide the capital dollars through the national housing strategy. I give you that commitment, and I will continue to work with you to make sure that we get people off the streets.</p><p style=""> I have seen those projects in Vancouver, through modular housing and other options, but we have to ensure that this is a whole-of-society approach. If we are going to exceed our targets under the national housing strategy, the provinces also have to step up to provide the supportive services so that through our capital dollars, we enable people to get off the streets. </p><p style="">Third, municipalities also have to do their part to speed up the planning process and enable organizations to acquire land.</p></div>107336392020-04-30T18:39:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10733639
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Everybody has to do their part, and we're doing our part.</p></div>107336442020-04-30T18:40:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10733644
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">It's a very important question, and I completely understand the urgency of the situation. </p><p style="">Unfortunately, this is actually not a service that falls within my portfolio. It is completely under the Canada Revenue Agency, and I would invite my officials to comment further.</p></div>107336462020-04-30T18:42:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10733646
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Thank you very much. That's a very important question. I'll ask my officials to respond, please.</p></div>107336492020-04-30T18:44:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10733649
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">We are aware that some expectant mothers are being moved to regular EI claims, but we are working to ensure that persons who are expecting a child and are eligible for the CERB can receive the benefit, even if they expect to start an EI maternity or parental claim soon. </p><p style="">The CERB does not affect the weeks of entitlement for EI maternity and parental benefits, and these EI benefit claims will continue to be processed as usual, whether they were established before or after March 15, 2020. </p><p style="">In addition, workers receiving the CERB can switch to EI maternity and parental benefits when appropriate to their situation, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for those benefits.</p></div>107336522020-04-30T18:46:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10733652
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> I'm really glad you asked that question. The non-profit sector and charitable organizations do amazing work every single day. Many Canadians from coast to coast to coast rely on their services. </p><p style="">At a time when more and more Canadians are relying on their services, these non-profit organizations and charities are facing unprecedented challenges. They're seeing their donations drop rapidly. They're seeing, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, that they're incurring additional costs that they didn't have to incur. They're seeing a drop in the number of volunteers that they can rely on to fulfill their mandate and mission of serving the most vulnerable.</p><p style="">That is why we have been engaged with them. I have been talking to this sector for a very long time, very regularly. I have been listening to them and seeing what we can can do to help them. I am very proud of the fact that we moved quickly to include the non-profit sector and charities in the Canada emergency wage subsidy. We included them in other measures by, for example, providing $350 million to enable them not only to continue the work that they're doing to help the most vulnerable in our society, but also to maybe expand their capacity to help even more people. That should go a long way toward helping them.</p><p style="">We are giving $100 million to food banks and community food programs, $7.5 million to Kids Help Phone and $9 million to senior organizations serving seniors. We are doing what we can to make sure that those organizations that are there for Canadians at this difficult time are able to continue that work. We know that they're reaching some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.</p></div>107336542020-04-30T18:49:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10733654
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">One of the key things that we're doing is through the $350 million fund. One of the three national intermediaries that we are using is the Canadian Red Cross, precisely because of their long experience and expertise in dealing with emergencies and their ability and capacity to help organizations equip and transform their services to the COVID-19 pandemic environment. This means training, being able to increase the capacity of organizations to train volunteers properly to deal with the effects of COVID-19. It also means helping organizations train volunteers on the use of personal protective equipment and other supplies.</p><p style="">That is another way we're helping charities and non-profits deal with COVID-19 impacts.</p><p style="">On top of that, the non-profit sector and charities have submitted a proposal to the government for further supports to keep them resilient, survive COVID-19 and emerge stronger from this challenge. That is something that the government is looking at, and we are having a conversation with the sector.</p></div>107336572020-04-30T18:52:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10733657
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> That's precisely why we have made sure that we're using three trusted and long-experienced intermediaries who have a national presence in the territories, in rural Canada and in urban Canada, right across the country—the Canadian Red Cross, United Way Centraide Canada and Community Foundations of Canada—but make no mistake, the money does not belong to those organizations. They are a dispersing mechanism. </p><p style="">We felt that the organizations helping those vulnerable people needed the help now and not in three months. That's how long it would take if we just had a regular open call for proposals through the government. We decided to go with intermediaries to get the money out faster, in weeks rather than months. We are negotiating with them to make sure that there is national reach, that rural Canada is served, that we cover small as well as large organizations and that we make sure there is space in there for faith communities that are doing COVID-19-related work. A lot of them are charities and non-profits as well. </p><p style="">The funds will be open to everyone as long as they are a non-profit or charitable organization that is engaged in serving the most vulnerable Canadians in the context of COVID-19, helping them by providing services such as counselling or by providing food or medication or other kinds of help. That's the restriction, but the funds will be open to any organization as long as they're engaged in COVID-19-related work for vulnerable Canadians and serving vulnerable Canadians, as long as they are a non-profit or charitable organization. </p></div>107336592020-04-30T18:54:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10733659
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Thank you. That's a very important question. Unfortunately, this is something that's within the portfolio of the minister responsible for small businesses. </p><p style="">I will invite my officials to comment on this question, if they're able to. </p></div>107336632020-04-30T18:57:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10733663
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> Yes, absolutely. The beautiful thing about the Canada housing benefit is that when we sign agreements with provinces to help renters, the provinces determine their priority populations.</p><p style="">Ontario was the first province to sign an agreement with us and signed at the beginning of this year. It's called the Canada-Ontario housing benefit. The Province of Ontario said it wants to target folks who are most in need of housing: vulnerable Ontarians, women fleeing domestic violence, those who have suffered human trafficking, Ontarians with disabilities, indigenous Ontarians and seniors. Because they have kept the benefit to those populations, they have managed to make it much deeper, between $6,000 to $7,000 a year, which enables people to get out of temporary housing and into permanent housing. Someone may need it just one time in their lifetime to get into housing. Another person may end up using it for a year. Other people may end up using it for longer. The Canada housing benefit is our response to the issue of rental affordability.</p><p style="">We are also making sure that we build more affordable housing. We enable developers to build more affordable rental housing through the RCFI, the rental construction financing initiative. I and Adam Vaughan, my parliamentary secretary, have made many announcements, and we have ensured that a number of projects have either been started or completed. We will ensure that renters will have affordable rent in places where they have simply been priced out.</p></div>107336652020-04-30T18:59:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 18:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10733665
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Yes. There is the additional amount of money, the $157.5 million plus the $50 million directly to women's shelters, and when you add those amounts, it's $207.5 million in additional money. It's additional to the regular Reaching Home funds, which continue to flow.</p><p style="">Because we've freed up that fiscal space for municipalities, they are now able to use some of their capacity to buy property, to acquire it outright. The money we have provided is to enable them to acquire more space, acquire more cleaning supplies and acquire more physical barriers to enable them to allow the homeless population to practise social distancing and enable them to get hotel rooms for social isolation.</p><p style="">We've made that money very flexible. The majority of the communities that are supposed to get that money have received it already. The money has flowed at record speed. We've been able to really be proactive. It was one of the first things we did in response to COVID-19.</p></div>107336692020-04-30T19:02:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 19:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10733669
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> That's a very good question. I confirm for the member that of the Reaching Home COVID-19 money we are flowing to different communities across the country to respond to the homeless population, the money allocated to Quebec has flowed to Quebec, and we have reached agreement with the Government of Quebec to flow that money to the communities that need it.</p><p style="">In terms of the Canada housing accord,</p><p style="">we want to make sure that Quebeckers get their fair share of this government's historic investment in housing. We hope to reach a bilateral agreement with the Quebec government, as with the other provinces and territories. We made a commitment to reach a bilateral agreement with the province of Quebec based on partnership, co-operation, consensus and accountability.</p><p style="">It's not about imposing an agreement; rather, it's about working with the Quebec government to make a real difference in the lives of Quebeckers who want an affordable place to call home.</p></div>107336722020-04-30T19:04:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 19:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10733672
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">To use the example of the City of Montreal, the municipal government passed a bylaw to empower the city to have the right of first refusal for properties that are abandoned, and then obviously once it does that, we can then use the national housing strategy to fund any housing project proposal brought forward by the municipal government or by an NGO. I think that would be the way to go about it.</p></div>107336742020-04-30T19:06:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 19:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10733674
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style=""> I'm not going to argue. I am just going to record that I disagree with your number. The community—</p></div>107336782020-04-30T19:06:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - HUMA-6 - Hon. Ahmed Hussen (2020-04-30 19:06)?PubType=40017&Item=10733678
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/HussenAhmedD_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Ahmed Hussen</div><div style="font-size:1em;">York South—Weston, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/89020<p style="">Yes, go ahead, Adam.</p></div>107325072020-04-30T11:03:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10732507
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you very much, Madam Chair. </p><p style="">I want to thank all the committee members for inviting me here today.</p><p style="">I’ve worked closely with this committee over the last four and a half years, and I appreciate the excellent work you do on a range of important issues that impact Canadians and Canadian businesses.</p><p style="">Before I begin, I would like to recognize the efforts of all Canadians to follow the recommendations of public health officials and keep everyone safe.</p><p style="">This is a collective effort by all governments across the country. I've never been prouder to be part of team Canada. My thoughts are with the people who are suffering or who have lost loved ones to this pandemic. I also want to recognize the tremendous work of our front-line workers: the health care providers, the emergency responders, and the many, many Canadians who keep our homes safe and filled with food.</p><p style=""> I also want to recognize the contributions of companies big and small, as well as those of our exceptional research community, and thank them for their ongoing work. </p><p style="">Let me start by addressing the restart of the economy.</p><p style=""> We know there will be real impacts while the shutdown measures are in place, but we cannot lose sight of the significant gains we have made in keeping people safe. We need to restart the economy only when the time is right, when we are certain we can maintain the health and confidence of Canadians. There needs to be coordination based on science, data and expert advice to realize our shared ambition of seeing our country through this. </p><p style=""> I’ll also address Canada’s industrial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p style=""> Over the past month, we have put the full weight of the federal government behind a plan to recalibrate industrial policy and supply chains. We have deployed industry and innovation programming, such as the industrial research assistance program, the strategic innovation fund, the innovation superclusters initiative, innovative solutions Canada and many other programs, to rapidly scale up industrial production of masks, ventilators and other urgently needed goods. </p><p style="">Industry has answered our call. Through our online portal, we have heard from nearly 6,000 Canadian companies that have stepped up to offer their capacity and expertise. These firms are now pivoting towards making face shields, gowns and other much-needed goods to help keep front-line health care workers safe. </p><p style="">The mantra is simple: It’s buy, buy, buy and build, build, build to meet the needs of a pandemic on a scale the country hasn’t seen since Canadian industry mobilized to support the greatest generation overseas, and we are now starting to see the results of these partnerships. </p><p style="">Contracts are now in place for more than 30 million medical gowns. Well-known companies such as Bauer, Stanfield’s, Canada Goose and General Motors have begun producing personal protective equipment and we are working on contracts with 14 different companies to deliver millions of face shields.</p><p style=""> Companies such as StarFish Medical have teamed up with key partners to produce ventilators using intellectual property first developed right here in Canada. More than a million litres of ethanol will be provided by Canadian distilleries through the hand sanitizers manufacturing exchange. As well, 55 million masks have been ordered, and we are working to step up mask manufacturing domestically so that we can assure Canada’s access to these vital pieces of personal protective equipment. </p><p style="">This shift has allowed us not only to respond to the need for protective equipment but also to keep many Canadians on payroll. </p><p style="">We've contacted every company that put its hand up. We're working with the other levels of government to leverage Canadian industrial expertise.</p><p style="">These partnerships highlight the innovative and collaborative spirit of Canadian industry, and we continue to challenge industry to come up with new and even more innovative solutions. </p><p style="">Throughout this process, companies of all sizes and all types, from every region of the country, have stepped forward with passion and commitment to do everything possible to help us fight the virus and keep Canadians safe. </p><p style="">In addition to working with industry, the government has been supporting Canada’s world-class scientists, medical experts and researchers in fighting COVID-19. </p><p style="">We're investing aggressively to develop a safe and effective vaccine. We want Canadians to have access to the vaccine and to treatments as soon as they're available.</p><p style=""> Ultimately, we want to deliver a vaccine and other treatments so Canadians can return to their regular routines. We want to get the economy moving again and to pave the way for a smooth rebound in the aftermath of this pandemic. Whether we're talking about Canadian companies or world-class researchers at our universities, the co-operation has been excellent. </p><p style="">We all just want to get the job done. That is, after all, the Canadian way.</p><p style="">That concludes my remarks. Again, thank you for the opportunity to speak with your committee today. I'll be pleased to answer your questions.</p><p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107325102020-04-30T11:11:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10732510
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I agree it's important to make sure that we recognize that as we move forward around restrictions, that is done with the sole purpose and goal of protecting Canadians' health and well-being. We are working very closely with our provincial and territorial counterparts. I am in continuous engagement and constantly in contact with my provincial and territorial counterparts regarding supply chains and the movement of essential goods, particularly when it comes to food supplies and medical supplies. Those are absolutely essential as we deal with this current health care crisis.</p><p style="">As we work with the provinces to remove some of these restrictions, we want to do so in a coordinated fashion. </p></div>107325122020-04-30T11:12:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10732512
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">As you know, we're going to have challenges and issues when we procure personal protective equipment from our international suppliers. That's why I highlighted in my remarks on that interview and today as well the importance of building up domestic capacity.</p><p style="">I don't have a specific number to disclose at this moment, but I can assure you that we are ramping up domestic supply to deal with challenges we will face with our international supply chains, with our global partners, in procuring this very important piece of equipment. There is—</p></div>107325142020-04-30T11:13:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:13)?PubType=40017&Item=10732514
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We assess what we need by working very closely with our provincial and territorial counterparts. My colleagues Minister Anand and Minister Hajdu work with their provincial counterparts to understand their needs. We recognize that we need to do more, not less. We have to have sufficient amounts in the short term but also as we reopen the economy.</p><p style="">I can tell you right now that every single day we are ramping up domestic capacity in a significant way to deal with any potential challenges we will have with personal protective equipment. </p></div>107325162020-04-30T11:14:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10732516
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Sure. Thank you very much for that question. </p><p style="">On face shields, with respect to how many we've purchased, it's close to 35 million, and deliveries have already started. </p><p style="">With regard to gowns, it's 30 million gowns that we've purchased, primarily from a lot of Canadian companies like Stanfield's and Canada Goose that have stepped up in a big way, and many other apparel companies as well. Those deliveries have started. </p><p style="">On hand sanitizer, again, it's 79 million units, with a significant amount being produced domestically as well. </p><p style="">For N95 masks, we have again ordered in the millions, and over five million have been delivered so far.</p><p style="">For surgical masks, over 300 million, again, have been purchased or have been ordered, and we've received 18 million thus far.</p><p style="">With regard to ventilators, this is an issue that's obviously of concern and that has received a lot of attention. We have produced or plan to produce over 30,000 ventilators in Canada, made-in-Canada solutions. Those deliveries have started as well.</p><p style="">Those are some numbers I can share with you today. </p></div>107325182020-04-30T11:16:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10732518
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">As I indicated, my colleague, Minister Anand, works very closely with her provincial and territorial counterparts. They have a table set up between the federal government and the provinces, not only to identify the unique needs of each jurisdiction but also to understand how we can logistically make sure we're able to get the supplies out to them. We are coordinating with our provincial counterparts, and Minister Anand is the point person making sure that's done in a timely manner.</p></div>107325202020-04-30T11:17:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10732520
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">That's a great question. </p><p style="">This is something I've dealt with often with my provincial and territorial counterparts, but my colleague, Minister Freeland, is the minister responsible for intergovernmental relations as they relate to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, and how we can better protect consumers and ensure that we have a better flow of goods. This is an issue that I will make sure to raise with her to convey to our provincial counterparts.</p></div>107325232020-04-30T11:18:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10732523
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">This is an issue that's really important because testing is another priority that we've identified with the provinces. One example that highlights how we dealt with that issue in a meaningful way is we received a significant shipment of essential chemicals required for the production of the reagent you identified. It arrived in Canada, and it essentially allows a company called LuminUltra to produce enough reagent for months of production.</p><p style="">As we continue to ramp up testing, we have that key ingredient, which allows a chemical reaction to detect the virus. That's an initiative that came about when that company, LuminUltra, approached us through that portal, and said that they could build that reagent capacity but needed some essential chemicals in order to do it. We were able to make sure they received that in a timely manner in order for us to continue to ramp up our testing.</p></div>107325252020-04-30T11:19:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10732525
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">The example I highlighted significantly ramps it up to about 500,000 tests weekly for the foreseeable months. We're also building up other measures to make sure that we have a sufficient amount of reagent. I can say that in the short term we have what we need.</p></div>107325272020-04-30T11:19:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10732527
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">There have been different elements to this. </p><p style="">Of course, Health wants to work with the provinces, see what capacity they have and build that capacity. That's really been the goal. Flattening the curve is one aspect, but so is building up capacity and testing capacity.</p><p style="">We are working with the provinces to identify what kind of testing solution they're looking for. Really, they have the ability to ramp up testing, and we want to be there to support them. We are in constant contact with them through the Health department and the Minister of Health.</p></div>107325292020-04-30T11:20:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732529
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">That's a great initiative. Spartan Bioscience is an example of a Canadian company that we engaged early on through the industrial research assistance program to help with their prototype and proof of concept, with this diagnostic equipment that would allow for testing to be done up front and provide a rapid response, as you indicated. </p><p style="">We made a significant procurement purchase order with them to make sure that we can conduct over eight million tests. This is going to be critical for many of our rural and remote communities, as well as many of the clinics that are dealing with patients. As we look to open up the economy on the front lines, like the airports, this will be an essential tool.</p></div>107325312020-04-30T11:21:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:21)?PubType=40017&Item=10732531
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">To give you some additional context, we put out a challenge to Canadian companies and, as I said, we are really mobilizing industry, our science community and our highly skilled innovators. Through the National Research Council, as well as innovative solutions Canada, we made a request to different companies and Canadians to see what kinds of solutions they have for home test kits or rapid testing. We received over 100 submissions and we're evaluating them on their merits. I can identify the ones we can scale up in a significant way to complement what we did for the Spartan Bioscience initiative. </p></div>107325332020-04-30T11:23:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10732533
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">When it comes to contact tracing, it is one of the tools that is being discussed fairly often in the media and by the public, and rightfully so, because it's the tool that's being used in South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore with a certain degree of success. We're looking at those international experiences. We are working with a range of companies to understand what solutions they want to provide. The key element here is to make sure that—</p></div>107325352020-04-30T11:23:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10732535
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I'll come back to that. Sorry about that.</p></div>107325382020-04-30T11:25:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:25)?PubType=40017&Item=10732538
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you for your question.</p><p style="">You're right. This is an extremely serious and important situation. I understand your concern. High-speed Internet access isn't a luxury. It's absolutely essential. That's why we introduced the connect to innovate program to help many rural communities access high-speed Internet.</p><p style="">My colleague Maryam Monsef will be outlining another solution to improve the situation for many communities.</p></div>107325442020-04-30T11:28:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10732544
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Once again, thank you for your question.</p><p style="">We must develop another strategy for the time frame. This crisis shows [Technical difficulty—Editor]—</p><p style=""> Can you hear me now?</p></div>107325462020-04-30T11:28:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10732546
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you for your patience.</p><p style="">You're right and we must change the time frame for [Technical difficulty—Editor] rural Canadians—</p></div>107325542020-04-30T11:29:49-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:29)?PubType=40017&Item=10732554
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Once again, thank you for your question.</p><p style="">You're right. We must adjust the time frames for high-speed Internet. My colleague Maryam Monsef is responsible for this initiative. I'm sure that she'll outline solutions that will help people in rural communities.</p></div>107325562020-04-30T11:30:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10732556
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Yes.</p><p style="">My colleague Maryam Monsef will outline exactly how long this may take and the relevant programs. All I know for sure at this point is that the time frame must be changed, because the current reality is very problematic. This issue is a priority for our government.</p></div>107325582020-04-30T11:31:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10732558
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We'll start soon. The strategy and the program already exist. We invested a great deal of money in them in the most recent budget, about $1.7 billion. I'm sure that my colleague Maryam Monsef will be outlining solutions soon.</p></div>107325622020-04-30T11:32:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10732562
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style=""> I do apologize, Brian.</p><p style="">Can you please just state the initial part? I didn't hear that part because of connectivity.</p></div>107325642020-04-30T11:32:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10732564
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">The Prime Minister and I have promoted advanced manufacturing and increasing our footprint and investing in key sectors like the automotive sector and the aerospace sector. The supercluster initiatives for Next Gen underscore that.</p><p style="">Clearly, we're seeing that community mobilized now and we are very supportive of the manufacturing sector.</p></div>107325662020-04-30T11:34:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10732566
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">You raise a very good point, which is that we have some world-class manufacturing here in Canada. We want to mobilize that for made-in-Canada solutions. Canadian companies are stepping up. They are providing solutions. They are helping Canadian front-line health care workers. In this process, we're generating intellectual property; we're generating ideas and know-how, and we want to see those benefits in Canada.</p><p style="">When we engage with companies, we make sure that we clearly align ourselves with made-in-Canada solutions that will remain here in Canada, that will benefit Canadians, and that also enable us to help other jurisdictions by exporting to those countries.</p><p style="">That has always been our goal. We want to see Canadian companies succeed within Canada but also succeed internationally, and when it comes to intellectual property, research and development, we want to make sure those efforts remain in Canada.</p></div>107325682020-04-30T11:35:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10732568
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">That's on a company-to-company basis and depending on what the equipment is, but ideally our overarching goal is to make sure we generate more research and development opportunities in Canada, that we generate more IP in Canada, and that Canadians see those benefits.</p></div>107325702020-04-30T11:36:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10732570
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We are dealing with the companies directly. As I said, we have a portal and over 6,000 companies stepped up and identified opportunities to scale up and support Canadian efforts to build made-in-Canada solutions for personal protective equipment. On many of the initiatives we've put in place we deal with them directly, as I said.</p><p style="">If you want any particular numbers around how much we have allocated through the different programming, we can let you know, but some of the key programs are innovative solutions Canada, as I highlighted in my opening remarks, the strategic innovation fund, and the industrial research assistance program.</p><p style="">I know that SR and ED is still a very popular program, which is administered, of course, by Finance, and we deal very closely with industry to understand their concerns.</p></div>107325742020-04-30T11:38:19-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10732574
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Is Ambassador MacNaughton advising ISED? Is that your question?</p></div>107325762020-04-30T11:38:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:38)?PubType=40017&Item=10732576
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I'm not aware of any formal commitment from him. I know that he is engaged with many, including me, in giving us solutions and ideas on how to help Canadians, so I speak to him on a regular basis. </p></div>107325782020-04-30T11:39:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10732578
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">That's a very good question. We can get back to you on the specifics around that.</p></div>107325802020-04-30T11:39:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10732580
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I speak to him as a friend. He is someone who has guided me through many personal issues with my kids and my family. He's been someone I've worked with, so it's in that capacity—</p></div>107325822020-04-30T11:39:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10732582
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I think that at this stage what I would highlight is that there has been no official arrangement with any company around contact tracing. We are looking at different solutions and examining what possibilities exist there. We have to work with the provinces and territories to make sure we have their buy-in as well, and I can assure you that when it comes to privacy, that is of paramount concern.</p><p style="">The Privacy Commissioner, on contact tracing, said that—</p></div>107325842020-04-30T11:40:26-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10732584
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">—the public health objectives and privacy protection can be achieved at the same time.</p><p style=""> We agree with the commissioner that privacy—</p></div>107325862020-04-30T11:41:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10732586
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">You mentioned PIPEDA and the $100,000 fine, and I'm glad you mentioned that. Those are some of the changes we brought forward through the regulatory process. It's a $100,000 fine per breach. If you're a company and you have breaches in the thousands and the millions—and that's often the case—that's a significant fine. That $100,000 fine makes it very clear that the company must disclose any breaches to the individual and the Privacy Commissioner. This is an important step to protect Canadians.</p></div>107325882020-04-30T11:41:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:41)?PubType=40017&Item=10732588
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We take privacy very seriously. Our government introduced the digital charter and that's why—</p></div>107325902020-04-30T11:42:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10732590
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I'm trying to respond, so thank you very much for the opportunity.</p><p style="">As I said, privacy is a very important issue for our government, and if we—</p></div>107325922020-04-30T11:42:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10732592
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Moving forward, we will make sure that it adheres to the stringent PIPEDA provisions that we put in place. We also proposed changes to the digital charter to make sure that—</p></div>107325942020-04-30T11:42:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:42)?PubType=40017&Item=10732594
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We work very closely with the provinces and territories to engage them on a range of issues, including issues around contact tracing.</p><p style="">As I said, different solutions are being proposed, but privacy will always be paramount.</p></div>107325982020-04-30T11:43:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10732598
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We would allocate the personal protective equipment or testing initiatives where the needs are. That's why we constantly coordinate with the provinces and territories to better understand their needs. There are different burn rates within different jurisdictions. Different jurisdictions within provinces and municipalities pursue their own procurement strategies and are making purchases and looking at made-in-Canada solutions as well, so it's important that we coordinate with them.</p><p style="">When it comes to testing more broadly and reopening the economy, we've been very clear that this should be guided by the advice of the public health authorities. We have worked very hard to save lives, to make sure we don't overwhelm our health care system, to flatten the curve. We don't want to undo that, so it's important that we act in a thoughtful and measured way, in a coordinated way and in a collaborative way. That's why we work very closely with the provinces and territories, particularly the Province of Quebec, as they rethink some of these initiatives. </p></div>107326002020-04-30T11:45:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10732600
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">When it comes to ventilators, we've seen CAE, StarFish Medical, the Dr. Art McDonald initiative and company after company step up in a very thoughtful way and come forward with a solution. </p><p style="">I had the opportunity to speak with Marc Parent, the CEO of CAE, and CAE has a great initiative. They have the history, the technical know-how, the understanding. They were able to rehire people to help build some of these ventilators. We went from a letter of intent to a purchase order, and now they will be delivering the ventilators in a matter of weeks.</p><p style="">This is really promising news for us, because we know we are in a position to help not only Canadians but possibly other jurisdictions and other countries as well. </p></div>107326022020-04-30T11:46:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10732602
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">As Brian Masse mentioned before, this is a very customer-oriented initiative, directly dealt with by the government and the companies without any third party intervention. We deal with them on a regular basis through the portals to let them understand the opportunities.</p><p style="">When it comes to ventilators, I'll give you an example. We had Health Canada and procurement and medical experts together to evaluate some of these proposals so we could quickly make a determination, sign a letter of intent and work with Procurement Canada to get that purchase order out.</p><p style="">It's about creating SWOT teams that can analyze some of these proposals that are more technical in nature. When it comes to other promising opportunities, we deal with Procurement Canada. If we can help companies with a procurement initiative, we work with Minister Anand's office.</p></div>107326062020-04-30T11:47:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:47)?PubType=40017&Item=10732606
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you very much. When it comes to CAE, it's a great Canadian success story. This is a company that is a world leader in flight simulations and is a point of pride for us, and now they're pivoting very aggressively to building ventilators here in Canada, at a very significant scale of 10,000 ventilators. As I said, this will allow us to get this very important piece of equipment to Canadians and to other parts of the world as well. </p></div>107326092020-04-30T11:48:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10732609
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I can get back to you with the specifics on that. </p><p style="">There are some companies that we just partner up and match with other companies if they're looking to scale up production or produce a certain amount of equipment. Some we work through purchases as well. LuminUltra is an example. They're looking for other key raw materials. There are companies like Canada Goose and Stanfield's, for example, that were willing to ramp up, but they needed the raw material, so we looked at construction house wrap as a way to make sure we met Health Canada's requirements for medical-grade downs. There are all these different types of initiatives. </p><p style="">We can get back to you on the companies we have engaged directly versus those that we kind of supported with partnerships with other companies.</p></div>107326112020-04-30T11:49:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10732611
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">If I can, Madam Chair, I will highlight a very quick example to illustrate the complexity. Flavio Volpe from the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association indicated to us that 77 companies in the automotive sector alone have engaged in this process to retool and scale up to deal with personal protective equipment. Imagine that, as we get the aerospace and the biotech sector and other companies that have stepped up. The magnitude is fairly significant and—</p></div>107326132020-04-30T11:50:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10732613
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I can tell you right now that we've seen companies right across the country step up in a big way, and we'd be more than glad to provide you with the names of the companies out west that have been involved in this process. It is a point of pride, because we have expertise across the country.</p></div>107326152020-04-30T11:52:10-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10732615
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Medicom is actually delivering masks presently. The specific issue that you're raising is the additional capacity that they're going to build up. That will take place in a few months, as they retool and get the equipment they need for additional masks. They'll be producing close to 40 million masks, both N95 and surgical masks. It's the same thing with GM Canada. </p><p style="">Medicom is already engaged with us and is delivering masks at the present time. I just want to highlight the difference. The current capacity for producing masks—</p></div>107326172020-04-30T11:52:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10732617
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">One thing we need to recognize is that the supply chains are integrated, so they need to work with other jurisdictions in order to deliver these products. That is why we're working with them to build up domestic capacity in order to deal with some of these supply chain issues that we've been encountering over the past few weeks and months.</p></div>107326212020-04-30T11:54:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10732621
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">This is going to require a collaborative effort. We have to work with the provinces. We have to work with them when we're sequencing things. We also have to work with industry. </p><p style="">Let me just illustrate some examples that highlight that need, because the situation is very different across the country in each and every province.</p><p style="">Let's take the fisheries as an example, out east and out west primarily. When you're on a boat, social distancing is a bit of a challenge, so you need certain protocols in place for that. We want to make sure that's done in a very thoughtful way to protect people in the fisheries industry. </p><p style="">Then we can also focus on, say, the automotive sector. There's a fair amount of automation and a fair amount of space between the workers already, and workplace safety standards have made it very clear that they need to keep a certain distance from one another. Therefore, it's—</p></div>107326232020-04-30T11:55:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10732623
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">No. What I'm demonstrating to you is that when the provinces are going about a reopening of their respective jurisdictions, they have to understand the unique needs within their own sectors and within their own communities.</p></div>107326252020-04-30T11:56:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10732625
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">One of the overarching guidelines and views we've had is that we have to be very clear that public health authorities and agencies are engaged so that the health and well-being of Canadians is not compromised. As I've stated, the Prime Minister has stated, and many of my colleagues, including the Minister of Health, we've worked very hard to flatten the curve and to build up capacity, and we have to be mindful of a potential second or third wave if we don't take into account the advice of our public health agencies and the individuals responsible.</p></div>107326272020-04-30T11:56:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10732627
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Testing is one such example, and in this conversation today, contact tracing has been another initiative. These are examples of tools that we need to look at to demonstrate confidence for the broader Canadian public, to make sure they understand that their health will not be compromised, to make sure that people feel empowered when they go out there and feel they have appropriate tools at their disposal to keep them safe and protected.</p></div>107326292020-04-30T11:58:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 11:58)?PubType=40017&Item=10732629
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style=""> Very quickly, I want to highlight that each jurisdiction is going to have its own timelines. They're going to deal with the unique economic circumstances in the different sectors that are going to be engaged in this process. We need to be thoughtful and deliberate about that and understand that we can't have a one-size-fits-all policy. We're going to have unique guidelines, but each jurisdiction is going to be sequencing this process in different stages.</p></div>107326322020-04-30T12:00:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10732632
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you for your question.</p><p style="">I want to emphasize the importance of the aerospace sector. It isn't just the automotive sector. The aerospace sector is absolutely crucial to our goal. It makes vital equipment. One example is CAE Canada.</p><p style="">In terms of our environmental goals, as always, the environment is a priority for our government. We'll continue to work hard to find solutions for the transition. We'll meet our environmental goals for the 2030 and 2050 targets.</p></div>107326362020-04-30T12:03:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:03)?PubType=40017&Item=10732636
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Our government understands the importance of focusing on quality service, on world-class networks at affordable prices. Those have been the priorities of our government, and we're making sure that during and after this crisis we continue to advance those goals.</p><p style="">I would like to underscore that our networks have kept up with the demand. It's been remarkable, and we have some of the best networks in the world. I want to acknowledge the field technicians who are out there every day making sure that Canadians remain connected.</p><p style="">You highlight a very good point around rural connectivity. This is an area where clearly there's a digital divide. There are two sets of experiences: one for those who live in urban Canada and another for those Canadians who live in rural communities. We have put programs in place, but we need to do more, and I am confident that my colleague Maryam Monsef will be presenting initiatives to improve rural connectivity.</p></div>107326382020-04-30T12:04:24-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10732638
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Pricing again is something we've worked on very aggressively to make sure that prices go down. Because of our policies and because of the initiatives we've put in place, prices have gone down, but we need to do more.</p><p style="">One example I want to highlight is an initiative called “Connecting Families”. This is a $10-per-month Internet plan available to those families that receive the Canada child benefit. I'm confident that if Canadians make themselves aware of this program, more of them will take advantage of this initiative.</p></div>107326402020-04-30T12:05:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10732640
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style=""> Yes, Madam Chair. I can make myself available. </p></div>107326432020-04-30T12:07:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10732643
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I can start with the last point that you raised in terms of high-tech companies. We've introduced a $250-million program through the industrial research assistance program, to help high-tech companies, start-up companies, pre-revenue companies, companies that are scaling up, SAS enterprises and so on. When we have broad-based programs, we recognize that some companies might not necessarily get the support they need, so we quickly pivoted and supported our start-up ecosystem through that initiative. If necessary, we will scale that up.</p><p style="">In terms of the challenges that businesses are facing, we have put forward record liquidity measures through the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada, as well as by working with our financial institutions. Right now, hundreds of thousands of loans have been issued to small businesses.</p><p style="">The point I want to underscore there is that for many communities, small businesses are too big to fail. Prior to COVID-19, we had over one million small businesses, employing over eight million Canadians. That is why we are working around the clock to support our small businesses through the different measures we've introduced over the past several weeks.</p><p style="">Very quickly, because you raised the point, when it comes to the oil and gas sector, I work very closely with Seamus O'Regan to make sure that we look at investments to not only see that sector thrive, because they are facing a set of challenges, but also to focus on the small and medium-sized enterprises and how we can help them transition this energy sector to a low-carbon economy.</p></div>107326472020-04-30T12:12:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10732647
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Very briefly, Madam Chair, because I didn't have the opportunity to respond to the questions from the previous round, when it comes to rural and remote communities, we've invested significant amounts of money in the regional development agencies, and these agencies exist across the country to help small businesses with the health care crisis we're dealing with.</p><p style="">Again, I want to underscore that the oil and gas sector is going to be part of the transition. We work very closely with them, and I have a great working relationship with Seamus O'Regan as well. We understand this area has been hit hard, not only by the health care crisis, but also with regard to the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The sector is facing many challenges that are not necessarily within our control.</p><p style="">To respond to the questions asked by the parliamentary secretary around science and science mobilization, I think it's a remarkable story. As a government we believe in science. We reinstated the mandatory long-form census. Our government made historic investments in science. We have some of the best world-class researchers and scientists, and they are empowered and engaged with vaccine development, therapeutics and other countermeasures. All of it is designed to help and protect Canadians, and we're very excited about the work they're doing.</p><p style="">VIDO-InterVac, the one that was highlighted, is the international vaccine centre in Saskatchewan, where they are now looking at building up clinical trial capacity. </p><p style="">We've made sure we not only mobilize scientists but also give them the resources for clinical trials for the development process, and ultimately we want to focus on broad biomanufacturing production as well. We've invested over $1 billion in this initiative to complement the investments we've made in the past. </p><p style="">We've also ramped up our production facility at the National Research Council. </p><p style="">These are part of the different initiatives that were announced by the Prime Minister and by Minister Hajdu as well, on top of the testing initiatives, the immunity task force, and Genome Canada. They are all designed to mobilize the science community and our researchers to deal with this incredible challenge we're facing. </p></div>107326492020-04-30T12:15:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10732649
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Over the last four years, we have significantly invested in a new industrial policy called the innovation and skills plan. In order to have a strong, innovative economy, we need to invest in scale. We need to invest in towns and people, in upscaling and in rescaling. That is our competitive advantage. That is what will differentiate our companies and enable them to succeed on a going-forward basis. </p><p style="">The program we identified that works with companies across the country in different provinces is the industrial research assistance program, which will enable companies that were not eligible for the wage subsidy to be able to support highly skilled innovators. This is about retaining top-tier talent within Canada. </p></div>107326522020-04-30T12:16:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10732652
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Again, it's a hypothetical. I don't know which pro bono app you're talking about. As I said, we are engaging with many different companies to look at different solutions, and of course PIPEDA and the Privacy Act would apply.</p></div>107326542020-04-30T12:17:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10732654
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Privacy is important, and I can't say that often enough, because Canadians say that to me and I have no hesitation in saying it. That is a priority of ours— </p><p style="">Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner: What are you—</p><p style="">Hon. Navdeep Bains: —and that's why we advanced the digital charter. </p><p style="">When it comes to consent, as you highlighted in your remarks, plain and simple language is one of the initiatives we put forward through the digital charter as a way to make sure that we empower Canadians and that they have more control over their data. </p><p style="">When it comes to any particular solution, I'm not aware of any specific initiative that we have endorsed at this stage. Therefore, it's a hypothetical. I again want to underscore that protecting Canadians' privacy has been, and will continue to remain, a priority for our government.</p></div>107326562020-04-30T12:18:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10732656
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Again, we haven't endorsed any particular app. Companies are approaching us with solutions. We're listening to them. We're engaging with them. When it comes to apps, they have to be voluntary. They have to comply with the Privacy Act. They have to comply with PIPEDA. These are—</p></div>107326582020-04-30T12:19:05-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10732658
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">It gets to what you're talking about. That's what I'm saying. You are yourself posing a question and answering it, so maybe you can speak to the specific app that you're trying to highlight.</p></div>107326602020-04-30T12:20:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732660
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style=""> We've been engaged with the Privacy Commissioner on contact tracing, and the commissioner mentioned recently that public health objectives and privacy protection can be achieved at the same time. We agree with this commentary by the Privacy Commissioner, so it's about moving forward—</p></div>107326622020-04-30T12:20:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732662
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Privacy cannot and should not be compromised.</p></div>107326642020-04-30T12:20:36-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732664
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I think so. Maybe it's a statement—</p></div>107326662020-04-30T12:20:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732666
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We've been very clear on what—</p></div>107326682020-04-30T12:20:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732668
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Wait a minute. I'm trying to answer, but you keep on interrupting. </p></div>107326702020-04-30T12:20:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10732670
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">No, I'm giving you a response. You might not like the response, but I'm being very clear about what our priorities are. We've been very—</p></div>107326732020-04-30T12:22:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10732673
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Yes. When it comes to Health Canada, I want to underscore that as of April 28, a total of 763 medical device establishment licences have been issued. We're working very closely with Health Canada on personal protective equipment to make sure we maintain standards, and Health Canada is acting in a very nimble and flexible manner to make sure they accommodate the feedback we're getting from industry with regard to mobilization in many sectors, including the automotive sector, as you've highlighted.</p><p style=""> I can tell you right now that ABS Friction, which is located in your riding, is part of a Canadian consortium that is making ventilators, and that's a success story of companies coming together, mobilizing and engaging the superclusters. We've created a process whereby Health Canada, procurement and medical experts have created a SWOT team to provide a quick solution in order for us to scale up.</p></div>107326752020-04-30T12:23:32-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10732675
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We're working very closely with them. They approached us through the portal. We're in a process now of working on next steps with them.</p><p style=""> These are incredible and innovative companies that have solutions that are going to protect Canadians. It's a point of pride, because it reflects our incredible industrial base, our innovation ecosystem. It's all about protecting Canadians and making sure that we support our front-line health care workers. Mutually, it's a point of pride.</p></div>107326802020-04-30T12:25:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:25)?PubType=40017&Item=10732680
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style=""> I think the Taiwan example is one that we're looking at to see what they've done. We're also looking at what other jurisdictions have done.</p><p style="">Just to illustrate the domestic capacity that we've built to deal with some of those opportunities, the domestic capacity for hand sanitizer is now at 15 million litres per month. That's six Olympic-sized swimming pools. That's an example of the kinds of capacity that we've built within Canada to deal with the reopening of the economy and making sure that people have easy access to hand sanitizers. On masks, we've highlighted the domestic capabilities as well. On Internet connectivity, just very quickly, we'll continue to engage with the telecommunication companies to deal with the digital divide.</p></div>107326832020-04-30T12:26:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10732683
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">I agree that high-speed Internet isn't a luxury. It's absolutely essential. That's why our government has invested in the connect to innovate program, for example. This program has helped 900 communities across Canada and Quebec. We'll continue to work every day to find solutions to improve the digital economy.</p></div>107326852020-04-30T12:28:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10732685
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">You asked a very good question. My colleague Myriam Monsef is responsible for the strategy. She'll soon be outlining solutions for all Canadians, because this issue is very important to our government. I'm sure that we'll be working with all the members to find solutions.</p></div>107326872020-04-30T12:28:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10732687
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We'll indeed be working together. Thank you for your efforts.</p></div>107326912020-04-30T12:30:03-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10732691
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Our overarching objective is to do more, not less, to be flexible and nimble and to help as many Canadians as possible. That's why we put forward these liquidity measures, by making sure that we strengthened the balance sheet of BDC to give out more loans, and we're engaged with them to make sure they come forward with the best possible option. We know how challenging this is for Canadians and Canadian companies, so we'll continue to engage with BDC to determine what the [Technical Difficulty—Editor].</p></div>107326932020-04-30T12:31:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:31)?PubType=40017&Item=10732693
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">We want to be sure we help as many businesses as possible. That's why we've given BDC [Technical difficulty—Editor] to provide more support to businesses. They have to do a risk assessment of how they proceed on a going-forward basis to provide more loans and help more companies. [Technical difficulty—Editor]</p></div>107326992020-04-30T12:34:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10732699
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you for that question, Brian. I can tell you right now that the goal is to make sure that we get money out as quickly as possible to businesses, particularly those businesses that need it in order to survive the next few months. I will follow up on the issues around rates and program criteria and eligibility with my colleague, Mary Ng, who is responsible for BDC, but I can tell you right now that we have issued hundreds of thousand of loans through our financial institutions and BDC to help small businesses.</p></div>107327012020-04-30T12:34:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - 2020-04-30Committee Evidence - INDU-11 - Hon. Navdeep Bains (2020-04-30 12:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10732701
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/BainsNavdeep_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Navdeep Bains</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Mississauga—Malton, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25471<p style="">Thank you very much for the opportunity. I have a prior commitment, but it's been an honour to be here to go through all the questions and all the rounds and have an opportunity to speak to committee members. </p><p style="">Thank you for your hard work. I look forward to the next opportunity to address you on any questions or issues you may have.</p></div>107276682020-04-24T11:09:14-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10727668
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me here today.</p><p style="">Before we begin, I would like to thank the people working behind the scenes to make this meeting possible.</p><p style="">I also want to thank our interpreters, who continue to play an exceptional role in ensuring Canadians have the latest information.</p><p style="">I am meeting you today from Ottawa, which is on the traditional territory of the Algonquin peoples.</p><p style="">When we last met in this committee, it is fair to say the world was a very different place. Since then, we have all seen the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. Our daily lives have been disrupted; our economy has faced challenges, and loved ones are falling ill. We know Canada may be dealing with spikes in infections for months to come. It is clear that we must address our short-term needs and plan for the long term so we are prepared for all possible scenarios.</p><p style="">Through this crisis, our government is committed to doing whatever it takes to keep Canadians safe, protect our economy and get everyone the help they need. We all appreciate the measures Canadians have taken to curb the spread of the virus, and we are especially proud of the doctors, nurses and health care providers on the front lines. Their work is critical, and that is why my department is so focused on procuring the personal protective equipment that Canadians and those on the front lines need.</p><p style="">Our procurement experts continue to work day and night, aggressively buying from all available suppliers and distributors.</p><p style="">It is no secret that we are operating in a highly competitive global environment. The entire world is seeking out the same materials, be they masks, tests, gloves or gowns, and supply chains are stressed at multiple points. This is resulting in a complex procurement environment where there are many risks. Mr. Vice-Chair, allow me to explain our procurement strategy in this unpredictable setting.</p><p style="">The first part is to buy existing inventory immediately at home and around the world to meet our most pressing needs. We are leaving no stone unturned. The second part of our approach has been to place large consolidated bulk orders on behalf of the provinces and territories. This helps us to attract suppliers in a competitive marketplace and keep a steady stream of goods flowing across our border. </p><p style="">Let me take a moment to explain how we are using our online channels to engage suppliers. On March 12, we sent out a call for companies to help Canada fight the outbreak on our online platform Buyandsell.gc.ca. The response has been overwhelming, with more than 26,000 submissions received. I am pleased to say that we have made at least initial contact with all domestic suppliers who have come forward to offer their help. We are aggressively working through submissions, placing priority on the offers for supplies for those most in need that already meet Health Canada standards. We are also making large international purchases. </p><p style="">Our government has called on Canadian companies to ramp up domestic manufacturing. At the same time, companies from across this country have answered the call, and my department is quickly establishing contracts with them. For example, we are finalizing a long-term contract with Medicom out of Montreal to produce tens of millions of N95 respirators and surgical masks annually right here in Canada. We have also established contracts for tens of thousands of ventilators with Thornhill Medical, CAE Inc., Ventilators for Canadians, Linamar, and StarFish Medical, all Canadian manufacturers. </p><p style="">Some Canadian companies are completely retooling their production lines to meet our needs. These are companies like Bauer in Quebec, which has gone from making hockey equipment to making face shields for front-line medical workers. Stanfield's in Nova Scotia is set to provide us with 100,000 medical gowns per week. Irving Oil in New Brunswick is another great example. They have retooled their lines to produce hand sanitizer and will deliver in the coming weeks.</p><p style="">These companies demonstrate the Canadian ingenuity and tenacity that will see us through this crisis. While we are focused on buying the most vital supplies, we are also supporting the fight against COVID-19 through other procurements. These include contracts for nursing services, security, cleaning, as well as air charters to repatriate Canadians. There are also contracts for first nations paramedics and mobilized community shelters, to name a few.</p><p style="">Through all of this, we have significantly changed our approach to buying and accelerating the procurement process, especially when it comes to meeting Canada's urgent needs. We are working around the clock to get contracts in place as fast as possible and in an intensely competitive market.</p><p style="">Underlying our buying effort is close collaboration with provinces and territories, as well as domestic industry players. To this end, I have established a federal-provincial-territorial ministerial table to discuss opportunities for collaborating around procurement in the fight against COVID-19.</p><p style="">I have also had constructive discussions with business leaders in the Canadian medical supply community so that we can continue to address the most pressing procurement issues and work together on a shared path forward.</p><p style="">Let me turn to the international supply chain. While contracts are put in place and domestic production ramps up, we still need to bring in internationally sourced materials and much of it is coming from China. While we have experienced challenges, we have had some successes. A number of planes have continued to come from China. We have set up a procurement approach to bring in supplies from China to ensure that quality products get here with as little delay as possible. Our government is also working with American officials to ensure that vital supplies continue to flow across our border.</p><p style="">One federally chartered plane returned to Canada without its intended cargo, but I can confirm that those goods have arrived in Canada. During the same 48-hour period, four other federal planes landed in Canada with cargo. Over 10 planes from China have returned to Canada with supplies overall.</p><p style="">It is important to note that in this procurement process the federal government is not the only party at the table procuring supplies for this country. Provinces and territories, as well as health care centres themselves, are securing supplies on their own, and we are collaborating with them to make sure that they have the transportation to bring those shipments home.</p><p style="">Once shipments arrive in Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada inspects and validates all supplies for quality. The same is true for the supplies we produce across Canada.</p><p style="">We have had some quality issues with supplies that have not met the standards set by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Quality issues, while unwelcome, should not be unexpected given the surge in global demand for these goods. While we are buying at a faster pace, our priority remains making sure that we get safe, effective supplies to health care providers. After our orders pass inspection, only then does the Public Health Agency turn their focus to getting supplies to where they are needed across the country.</p><p style="">To help us with domestic distribution, we have contracted with Amazon Canada, one of the companies that answered our call to action. Let me be clear about their role. Amazon is currently providing use of their online business platform to help manage the inventory and allow provinces and territories to directly order supplies.</p><p style=""> Canada Post and Purolator, which are both business partners of Amazon Canada, will handle all warehousing and delivery. This is all at cost without profit. This agreement is important to ensuring that masks, gloves and other vital equipment are provided to front-line health care workers as quickly as possible.</p><p style="">This is truly a team Canada approach with all hands on deck, and we are making steady progress. Things like surgical and N95 masks are now being delivered and distributed to provinces and territories. On ventilators, deliveries will be rolling out as early as next week. The Public Health Agency has already deployed 400 ventilators to the provinces and territories from the national emergency stockpile.</p><p style="">When it comes to testing, we have contacts in place for rapid test kits. We will continue to seek out and purchase swabs and reagent required for conventional testing. Reagent is in short supply around the world, and I'm pleased to say that under very difficult conditions, we brought a shipment of the important base chemical back to Canada. LuminUltra, a company in New Brunswick, is now producing reagent with that chemical.</p><p style="">I want to convey to you as a committee that we are taking new steps to be more transparent and to keep Canadians up to date with our work. We are launching an online report today detailing the progress that we are making on procuring key COVID-19 supplies.</p><p style="">Through all of this, my department continues to deliver its most critical services, such as processing payments through the Receiver General and maintaining federal buildings and infrastructure, but our most important task right now is the urgent procurement of vital supplies in the fight against COVID-19. We have significantly shifted our internal resources towards that effort.</p><p style="">I would like to personally thank everyone at PSPC who is keeping our business going, especially those who are helping to meet Canada's medical supply need in a difficult and challenging time.</p><p style="">We are making real progress, but we must continue to be vigilant. We must be realistic, and we must recognize that these are unprecedented and unpredictable times with unpredictable markets.</p><p style="">I want Canadians to know that we will continue to do whatever it takes to get supplies into the hands of those who need them most as quickly as possible.</p><p style="">Thank you very much.</p><p style="">I'm very happy to take your questions.</p></div>107276722020-04-24T11:22:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10727672
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Thank you so much for the question.</p><p style="">I will say that the handling of the national stockpile is not within the purview of the PSPC. It is within the purview of the Public Health Agency of Canada.</p><p style=""> I did hear those comments that my predecessor made, and my focus from day one has been to fulfill the orders that have come in from the Public Health Agency of Canada, which had been given to them from the provinces and territories. Every single day and night the team at PSPC has been procuring those orders that have been coming in.</p><p style="">That's the approach we're taking. It's aggressive. It's proactive. We are really working hard to fulfill provincial and territorial orders.</p></div>107276742020-04-24T11:24:06-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10727674
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Once again I want to emphasis that the orders we are placing and the approach we are taking to procurement in very difficult international circumstances characterized by extremely high demand is that we are taking requests from the Public Health Agency of Canada. We are going above and beyond the orders they are providing to us.</p><p style="">Questions relating to the national emergency stockpile should be directed to the Public Health Agency and Health Canada. That is not within our purview.</p></div>107276762020-04-24T11:26:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10727676
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I will note that there are multiple questions in that intervention. I'm going to do my best to respond to them, and I hope you will allow me the time to do so.</p></div>107276782020-04-24T11:26:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10727678
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I'm just hoping you will allow me the time to do so.</p><p style="">The first question relates to what you referred to as “passing the buck”. It's quite the contrary. We are engaged in intense cross-government collaboration and cross-provincial and -territorial collaboration. From the outset, we have been working directly with provincial and territorial governments to inform our bulk-buying approach. </p><p style="">In fact, I'm in regular contact with my provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure that we are meeting their needs. I have had a call every two weeks with them to ensure that we are meeting their needs—</p></div>107276812020-04-24T11:27:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10727681
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Pardon me?</p></div>107276832020-04-24T11:27:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10727683
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">The question related to whether we were passing the buck, and I'm trying to suggest that it's quite the opposite. It's a collaborative approach—</p></div>107276862020-04-24T11:27:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10727686
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">The second part of your question related to ventilators and the purchases of ventilators. In terms of ventilators, you have to recognize that there is a set of ventilators already in Canada, 5,000 to be exact. That's quoting from our chief medical officer, Dr. Theresa Tam.</p><p style="">In addition, we have procured 500 ventilators, which are being distributed out to the provinces. On top of that, we are building up domestic supply for 30,000 ventilators from domestic corporations. We are purchasing in bulk, in addition to the existing stockpile of ventilators.</p><p style="">You have to remember, when you are asking about additional purchases, that there were ventilators already in existence in Canada—</p></div>107276892020-04-24T11:28:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:28)?PubType=40017&Item=10727689
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Furthermore, if I could continue, the process of purchasing equipment exists not only at the federal level, but provinces and health care centres are also buying their own PPE. Getting the information about federal numbers is only part of the story, which I am filling in, but the provinces and health care centres also tell part of this story, and it's a collaborative approach that we are taking.</p></div>107276982020-04-24T11:30:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:30)?PubType=40017&Item=10727698
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style=""> Thank you so much for the question.</p><p style="">The first effort we made to make sure we had the ability to reach a broad range of suppliers was to put a call out to suppliers on the Buyandsell.gc.ca website. As I mentioned, we have received over 26,000 responses from suppliers domestically and internationally.</p><p style="">Your question related to the domestic industry. I, like you and probably every member of Parliament around the table, have heard from people who would like to step up. This is characteristic of the approach we are seeing from the Buyandsell.gc.ca website. I want to commend Canadian industry and businesses alike for stepping up in this way. What we are doing after we receive the supply offer is contacting each of these people, which we've done. Then we go ahead and make contracts with some of them.</p><p style="">In addition to PSPC's efforts, ISED is leading the plan to mobilize industry to fight COVID-19. As much as possible, we are trying to secure supplies from Canadian manufacturers so that we can get them into the hands of front-line health care workers as soon as possible. Some key examples are companies like Bauer for face shields, Stanfield's for medical gowns, Irving Oil for hand sanitizer, Medicom for masks, Spartan for test kits, Thornhill Medical for ventilators, and the list goes on as you can see.</p><p style="">We are seeking to ensure the we have multiple supply chains operating at the same time. That means we want to make sure we have domestic sources of supplies as well as international sources of supplies, so that we have supply chains operating in tandem, which is a way of not putting all our eggs in one basket, if you will. It's very important to have complementary supply chains and that's the importance of building up domestic capabilities.</p></div>107277002020-04-24T11:32:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:32)?PubType=40017&Item=10727700
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Sure. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, we are using a team Canada cross-government approach to procurement. In the first instance, regarding a new business that wants to produce hand sanitizer, for example, ISED is leading the plan to mobilize industry in the fight against COVID-19 and introducing measures to directly support businesses to rapidly scale up production and retool their manufacturing lines to develop products.</p><p style="">Amongst these measures the strategic innovation fund will deliver direct support to Canadian companies for large-scale projects. The innovative solutions Canada project will be helping companies commercialize products more quickly. When businesses are identified by ISED as being equipped to retool and to scale up production, they are supported to ensure that their product will meet the qualifications set by Health Canada. PSPC works directly with ISED to go through a due diligence process leading to a potential contract. It's a collaborative approach among government departments.</p></div>107277042020-04-24T11:34:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:34)?PubType=40017&Item=10727704
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style=""> As I said, 26,000-plus applications to us and 14,000 domestic submissions have resulted in a large approach being required. We have taken a centralized approach that allows us to assess and triage information in a systematic manner. The information that is provided by suppliers is triaged into four tiers: companies that are in the medical field, companies in other lines of business relating to goods and services that we're looking to procure, submissions from professional businesses but not found in databases that we currently have, and submissions that use public domain emails.</p><p style=""> We have reached out to every single domestic supplier that has been in touch with us, but the triaging process is still continuing. I will say that overall I'm extremely heartened by the level of enthusiasm of Canadian business to step up in the fight against COVID-19.</p></div>107277072020-04-24T11:37:06-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10727707
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Thank you very much for your question. The health and safety of Canadians is our top priority. That is why we are committed to ensuring that front-line healthcare providers get vital supplies as quickly as possible.</p><p style="">As you mentioned, we signed an agreement with Amazon Canada, in conjunction with Canada Post and Purolator, to help manage the distribution of personal protective equipment and supplies purchased by the federal government. They play different roles. Amazon has an online platform.</p><p style="">Amazon puts on that platform the items that we are going to distribute. The provinces and territories can place orders on that platform, which are then distributed by Canada Post.</p><p style="">So they play different roles, and Canada Post does not have the platform needed to play the same role as Amazon.</p></div>107277092020-04-24T11:39:06-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10727709
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">It is very important to specify that it is Amazon Canada. It is not exactly a foreign company. It is a Canadian company that works with other Canadian companies. All three companies are providing these services at cost, without making a profit. </p><p style="">It's at cost, without profit, and they're all Canadian companies. Amazon Canada is a Canadian company.</p><p style="">Is there anything else?</p></div>107277112020-04-24T11:40:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:40)?PubType=40017&Item=10727711
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Thank you very much for your question.</p><p style="">It rained last weekend, which made things very difficult, but only one flight chartered by the federal government was involved.</p><p style="">We have taken other measures to make sure the planes can take off more easily. First, we have two terminals at the airport. The first is for Cargojet and the second is for Air Canada. We are diversifying our approach in China. Second, through the embassy there, Deloitte Canada and Boloré Logistics are helping us with procurement. So we have already done a lot of things to make sure this problem doesn't happen again.</p></div>107277142020-04-24T11:43:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10727714
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time understanding the question. Am I in charge of the items that would be disposed of in the stockpile? Is that the question?</p></div>107277162020-04-24T11:43:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:43)?PubType=40017&Item=10727716
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I am not in charge of expired items. That is within the realm of the Public Health Agency of Canada. </p><p style="">I believe you referred to the Regina stockpile, so I'm wondering if I could make a comment on that.</p></div>107277182020-04-24T11:44:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10727718
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Okay.</p></div>107277202020-04-24T11:44:09-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10727720
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">What I'm responsible for is procuring the items; that's buying the items that come into Canada.</p><p style=""> Once they come into Canada and they are placed in the warehouse, they are inspected by the Public Health Agency of Canada. My department does not have a role in that inspection. They are then distributed out to the provinces in accordance with a formula that Health Canada reached with the provinces and territories on the basis of an 80-20 split. Again, that is nothing that I have control over, but I will turn to my deputy minister, Bill Matthews—</p></div>107277222020-04-24T11:45:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10727722
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style=""> Well, we do run GCSurplus for surplus goods that departments want to get rid of, but we would not sell expired goods.</p></div>107277242020-04-24T11:45:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:45)?PubType=40017&Item=10727724
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">But we don't distribute. We don't distribute.</p></div>107277262020-04-24T11:46:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10727726
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I appreciate the question and especially the motivation for the question, which is one that I share with you in terms of empathy for those people who are on the front lines. I definitely have that concern in mind, too, but in terms of the precise answer to your question, that is an issue that rests with Treasury Board. I have been engaged in conversations, but it's not within my purview to set those things in place.</p><p style="">In particular, I will say that, as a member of Parliament and not as a minister, I have had conversations with unions in my riding that have the concerns you raised.</p></div>107277282020-04-24T11:48:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10727728
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Is the question relating to the way in which that corporation or any corporation comes into producing and contracting with the federal government or is it relating to a particular other issue that—</p></div>107277322020-04-24T11:48:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10727732
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">It is straightforward. I would love to answer it if the chair would let me have that time. </p></div>107277372020-04-24T11:51:44-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10727737
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I'm going to take that question in two parts: the first relating to on-the-ground operations in China, and the second relating to quality control.</p><p style="">The very first point that we have to remember, and we cannot stress this enough, is that it's a highly competitive global environment and international logistics are challenging. We are working very closely with our embassy in China, as well as with on-the-ground logistics experts in the private sector to get supplies into the hands of health care workers on the front lines of the crisis. </p><p style="">This means that from the point of contracting to the point of arrival in Canada, we have a multi-stage process in place. Our Ambassador Barton in China and I are in almost daily contact about the situation in China, and in addition to private firms in China, assists us with getting the goods to the warehouse and then through the bureaucratic channels and on the planes and over to Canada.</p><p style="">We are ensuring we have a diversified source of supply. When I talk about diversity, I mean diversity of country, of manufacturer, of goods, of suppliers, and ultimately of air carriers.</p><p style="">As for the flights that have arrived in Canada, over 10 flights now have arrived from China. The goods have been successfully warehoused and are getting out to Canadian health care workers. </p><p style="">The second part of your question related to quality control. Without question, quality control is a concern for us. That's why we have quality control occurring in China as well as on the ground in Canada. </p><p style="">Once the goods get to Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada has testing measures in place. They're in place for the very purpose of ensuring quality control of essential products so that the equipment that is sent out is safe for our health care workers. </p><p style="">We do hold back some supplies that don't meet the medical testing standards. At PSPC, we're constantly adjusting our procurement approach to mitigate this issue at the outset. This is a key reason we're continuing to diversify our supplier base so that we're not drawing on one supplier only. </p><p style="">Our commitment overall is to supply a good product to front-line health care workers. </p></div>107277392020-04-24T11:54:51-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10727739
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Sorry, what was the second question?</p></div>107277432020-04-24T11:56:36-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:56)?PubType=40017&Item=10727743
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Thank you for that unexpected comment. I appreciate it.</p><p style="">As you know, we are the central purchaser and we are spearheading the consolidated purchase of emergency supplies and services required for Canada, including at the federal, provincial and territorial levels. We are procuring a wide range of emergency supplies and services at the request of the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is spearheading the asks from territorial and provincial partners.</p><p style="">As your comment suggests, hospital systems are also asking for our assistance, and we are providing transportation services from China for many different partners, including provinces, territories, hospital systems and conglomerates of health care providers, so that we can ensure that our front-line health care workers have the supplies they need. </p><p style="">It's not a competitive approach as much as it is a collaborative approach among people, partners, organizations and governments in Canada. We're all focused on the same goal, which is to make sure that front-line health care workers and Canada's health care professionals have exactly what they need.</p></div>107277452020-04-24T11:59:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10727745
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">You will have seen in the various releases from our government and in the press that Canadian industry has stepped up in a big way to rapidly scale up and retool production capacity, as your question suggests. With ISED, we are working very hard to make sure that contracts are in place for the retooling of Canadian industry. Among these measures, the strategic innovation fund will provide direct support to Canadian companies for large-scale products, and Innovative Solutions Canada will be helping companies to commercialize products more quickly.</p><p style="">You listed a bunch of companies, and I have previously, so I won't do that again, but I will say that we are pursuing every possible avenue to secure life-saving equipment and supplies that Canada needs from a diverse range of suppliers, both domestically and internationally. </p><p style="">On the distribution of supplies, whether they are Canadian or international, they all have to meet PHAC specs. Only after they have done that are they distributed by Amazon Canada, which is not a Canadian company but has operations and workforce in Canada, partnering with Purolator and Canada Post to make sure that our front-line health care workers get the supplies they need as expeditiously as possible.</p></div>107277472020-04-24T12:00:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10727747
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I apologize, but I have to leave at noon.</p></div>107277492020-04-24T12:00:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10727749
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Unfortunately, yes.</p></div>107277512020-04-24T12:00:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 12:00)?PubType=40017&Item=10727751
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">I just want to thank you, Mr. Chair. I find it slightly ironic that the last committee appearance I had was on March 13, the day the House rose, and that the next guest you have at OGGO happens to be me as well, in the middle of this crisis.</p><p style="">I want to thank you and your committee for the excellent questions that I received today.</p></div>107277532020-04-24T12:01:27-04:00
Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - 2020-04-24Committee Evidence - OGGO-6 - Hon. Anita Anand (2020-04-24 12:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10727753
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/AnandAnita_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anita Anand</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Oakville, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96081<p style="">Yes, hopefully. Thank you.</p></div>107264332020-04-23T11:27:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:27)?PubType=40017&Item=10726433
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> Thank you, Madam Chair. </p><p style="">I appreciate the opportunity to speak with this committee about some of our government's supports for Canada's small business owners and entrepreneurs. </p><p style="">Small businesses are at the heart of communities across the country and are truly the backbone of our national economy. They employ 8.3 million hard-working Canadians and account for nearly seven out of 10 private sector jobs in this country, so when this pandemic hit Canada and the rest of the world, we knew it was necessary to do everything possible to help them. Small businesses need our support to get through this very difficult time, and we need them to remain pillars of our towns, our cities and our neighbourhoods.</p><p style=""> Over the past several weeks, my team and I have spoken with thousands upon thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs in every sector and every region of the country. We heard that our response to COVID-19 needed to be flexible and balanced. It needs to be flexible because the situation we face is unprecedented. There is no template to work from. Circumstances and challenges are still evolving at a rapid pace. It needs to be balanced because we need to meet the needs of all small business owners during these challenging times and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to relief.</p><p style="">Small businesses, because of their size, are often more entrepreneurial, more nimble, and very much in touch with their customers and their communities. This is often their key to success, but it also makes them vulnerable during times like these. When Canadians are asked to stay home, they’re not able to eat out at their favourite restaurant, go to an appointment at their therapist's or at the salon, travel, or stay at a hotel or a bed and breakfast. </p><p style="">If you’re an entrepreneur who invested everything in a community theatre, a pub or a bakery, you're feeling the brunt of COVID-19. You've probably had to close your doors, and your sales have probably taken a huge hit or they have disappeared entirely. </p><p style="">When people are asked to stay at home, they’re likely going to delay major purchases, so if you’re a business that sells cars, technology or furniture, you’ve taken a huge hit too. Then there are the service providers that we normally interact with every day: drycleaners, yoga studios, day cares and hair salons. They’re feeling the effects of having to temporarily close their doors. </p><p style="">If you're in the business of moving people or goods, like our taxi drivers or delivery service workers, your revenue has been impacted too. The harsh reality is that the majority of our entrepreneurs and small business owners are facing serious challenges and it happened almost overnight. </p><p style="">For small businesses to get over the challenges of this pandemic, they're likely facing at least three major threats: keeping their employees, keeping their costs low, and of course, covering their operating costs. Our government has taken serious and decisive action to address each of these threats. </p><p style="">I grew up in a small business, and I know that it is often a family affair. Seventy-five per cent of Canadian small businesses have fewer than 10 employees, and they often know each other’s birthdays, kids’ names, and spouses. From my own experience, and through conversations with many small business owners, I know that employers often think of their teams as their extended family. </p><p style="">We also know that in order for a business to remain resilient through difficulty and to recover more quickly after a challenging time, the team must stay together. That’s why one of our most important initiatives is the Canada emergency wage subsidy. Through this wage subsidy, we will keep more Canadians employed by covering 75% of their wages. Our goal is to keep businesses together so that they have the required skills and expertise on hand to help them ramp back up when the economy restarts.</p><p style="">We're also helping over 3.2 million businesses and self-employed Canadians to keep their costs low by allowing them to defer the GST or the HST, and customs duty payments. Also, they can keep more money in their pockets over the next few weeks and months because we've extended the tax filing deadline to June 1, and we've allowed businesses to defer any payments they owe until August 31. </p><p style=""> With the Canada emergency business account, we're also helping businesses keep up with their operating costs and their cash flow. This is an interest-free $40,000 loan guaranteed by the Government of Canada, with up to $10,000 forgivable if you pay it back by the end of 2022. These loans are available right now through your bank or credit union, your financial institution. When we heard that many small businesses were not able to access this support because of the requirement to have payroll of at least $50,000, we lowered that threshold to $20,000.</p><p style="">The common thread in all these initiatives is that they're going to help our small businesses retain the people they need and have the operating funds necessary to help them get through this difficult period and to succeed in the long term.</p><p style="">To date, over 382,000 businesses have already been approved for the small business loan, and our government's recent announcement to expand the eligibility criteria for the program will mean that even more businesses will qualify. This cash flow support means your favourite restaurant can keep the lights on while they switch over to delivery service. It means the small furniture store that usually relies on foot traffic to stay afloat can continue paying the costs and the upkeep of their warehouse space. It means a local bed and breakfast can maintain their property while they've had to temporarily close their doors. </p><p style="">For those businesses with larger operational needs, we have made loans of up to $12.5 million available, which will also be available through your local financial institution, your bank or credit union. </p><p style="">We've also heard from businesses that they need help paying their rent and that's exactly what we intend to do. As the Prime Minister announced last week, we will introduce the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program for small businesses. This program will provide loans, including forgivable loans, to commercial property owners who will in turn lower the rent for small business owners. Rent is an issue that falls under the jurisdiction of the provinces and territories, so we're working closely in active discussions with them on this important issue and we will have more details to share soon. </p><p style="">Our government has acted quickly and we've introduced broad measures to help small businesses from coast to coast to coast. We have also introduced targeted measures to help businesses in the northern territories, indigenous and youth-owned businesses, and innovative businesses in the start-up stage that have yet to turn a profit. </p><p style="">These measures will help businesses weather the storm, but we know the introduction of measures is only a first step. We need to help businesses access these supports in order for them to benefit. That's why we have leveraged the Canada innovation portal and the Canada Business app to help steer small businesses to the right supports. It's also why we partnered with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to create the Canadian Business Resilience Network. This is going to help small business owners have the most up-to-date information on the supports that are available to them.</p><p style="">I'll close by thanking the many small businesses that are providing essential services to so many of our communities across the country through this very difficult and challenging time. My colleagues and I have heard countless stories of entrepreneurs in communities across the country who are going beyond the call of duty. I'm talking about those businesses and entrepreneurs who put up their hands to offer technical skills to find new ways to produce items that are in short supply, or the restaurant owners who are offering free meals to the front-line health care workers, or the innovative businesses that are finding new ways to create medical gear for front-line health care workers. The resilience of our Canadian business owners and our entrepreneurs is second to none, and to all those hard-working business owners, I say thank you.</p><p style="">We're all in this together. I appreciate this committee's support of our efforts during this difficult time. Together we're going to help our small businesses survive this pandemic and pave the way for our economy to recover. We're going to continue to work hard to save those Canadians' jobs and help Canadians save those businesses. </p><p style="">I thank you for the opportunity for me to speak to you today. I would be pleased to answer any questions. </p></div>107264372020-04-23T11:37:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10726437
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I believe I can. I'm just going to take a quick look at my calendar.</p><p style="">Yes, my calendar is okay, and I would be very pleased to do that.</p></div>107264652020-04-23T11:49:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10726465
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you very much, Madam Rempel Garner, for that question. </p><p style="">The work that we are engaged in and have been engaged in is ensuring that we are providing measures, economic measures, to help Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs through this very difficult time so that we can flatten the curve as a country.</p></div>107264672020-04-23T11:50:12-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10726467
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">You've heard from the Prime Minister that he and the Deputy Prime Minister are working closely with colleagues at the provincial and the territorial level. The work that I am seized with and that we are focused on is making sure that business owners across the country are getting the support that they need, whether it is helping them keep their staff, whether it is getting cash—</p></div>107264692020-04-23T11:50:49-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10726469
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">The work that we're doing right now, and it's a team Canada approach, is to flatten the curve so that Canadians are safe and they are healthy. The extraordinary measures that we're asking Canadians to take to flatten this curve—I would agree and I would hope everyone would agree—are job one, which is why we have the measures that we have right now to make sure that—</p></div>107264712020-04-23T11:51:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10726471
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We're going to keep working for Canadian businesses, just as we have been doing during this time. We're listening to business owners. The measures that you see, the economic measures, are in response to what they need to manage through this difficult period. We're also listening to those business owners about what it is they are going to need so that we put them all on a good footing.</p></div>107264732020-04-23T11:51:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:51)?PubType=40017&Item=10726473
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">The measures that we have put in place are to help businesses manage through this time and to get them on a good footing, so that when it is safe to do so, when it is safe to restart the economy, we are working together—</p></div>107264752020-04-23T11:52:28-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10726475
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We're working very intently with business owners, who are telling us that they need to be able to access some cash flow so that they can manage through this period. They're telling us that—</p></div>107264772020-04-23T11:52:58-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10726477
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> In talking to thousands upon thousands of businesses, including the over 1,000 businesses that my department talks to every day, the questions I've heard very often from businesses, as recently as yesterday and today, are about how they can get access to support to keep their teams together during this period so they can be on that road to recovery when it's safe to do so. We're absolutely working hard—</p></div>107264792020-04-23T11:53:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10726479
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">The glimmer of hope for Canadian businesses is just how incredibly resourceful they are.</p></div>107264812020-04-23T11:54:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:54)?PubType=40017&Item=10726481
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">They are incredibly innovative. They are stepping up to serve the needs and are helping our front-line health care workers and those essential workers. </p></div>107264852020-04-23T11:55:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10726485
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you very much. I appreciate the question.</p><p style="">One of the things we heard very clearly from businesses is about the help they're going to need to manage their bills every single month. Those are those operating costs, of which rent is a key part. </p><p style="">You heard the Prime Minister announce that we intend to support small businesses through the Canada emergency commercial rent support. We hope to announce that very soon. We are in active discussions with the provinces and territories. This is an area of their responsibility, but we all agree that we have to work together to support all of those incredible entrepreneurs and businesses across the country so that they are being helped with rent support. </p><p style="">Rent support is part of operating costs. It's a significant part of operating costs. I have heard from businesses all across the country that they are being helped with the $40,000 interest-free loan, of which $10,000 is forgivable. This is the kind of bridging cash flow work we are doing to help businesses. You heard me say earlier that over 380,000 business owners have already been approved for that loan.</p></div>107264872020-04-23T11:57:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:57)?PubType=40017&Item=10726487
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you very much.</p><p style="">We are making progress. What we've done here as part of the business supports, the lending support to businesses—and BDC and EDC absolutely have taken on significant and important roles—is to provide significant government guarantees to financial institutions. </p><p style="">During this very difficult period, we want to make sure that businesses are able to access that lending support through their financial institution, whether it is a bank or a credit union that they work with. Because the banking and credit network exists all across the country and is easily available, more easily available than are the BDC or the EDC office teams, we're making it available through there. Absolutely, they can go to the financial institution, and that's where they're getting the help.</p></div>107264922020-04-23T11:59:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10726492
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you so much, Mr. Manly. I really want to thank you and, indeed, all colleagues who have been so open in being able to share the issues they have in their own communities.</p><p style=""> We're really looking forward to being able to give you that information and give businesses the information about the rent support. I do believe that support is really going to help, because we've been listening to you and colleagues, and businesses in particular, to make sure we get that support out to them.</p></div>107264962020-04-23T12:02:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:02)?PubType=40017&Item=10726496
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you, Monsieur Lemire. Je m'excuse. I wish I could do this in French, but I'm going to do it in English. I really want to thank you for your advocacy as well and for the work you're doing in your region in northern Quebec.</p><p style="">We've said right from the beginning that we are going to help businesses through this time, and helping businesses means keeping those businesses intact and helping them keep their teams together. I know there are businesses that are continuing to look forward to, particularly, the small business loan support. Know that we are listening and we are going to continue to do that work.</p><p style="">On the regional development agencies, particularly in Quebec.... We have just made an investment to the regional development agencies across the country of a little over $600 million, as well as through Community Futures. This is well known in the region around the support for small enterprises and, together with the many measures we have put in place, is intended to make sure that we don't have businesses fall through the cracks and that we are helping them through this very important and very difficult time. Again, I want to thank you for your work and your advocacy for your businesses.</p><p style="">The last thing I would say is that Innovation Canada, or the Canada Business app, is where we made information available on all the progress. I know how difficult it could be, because there are many—</p></div>107264992020-04-23T12:04:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:04)?PubType=40017&Item=10726499
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> We have onboarded many small institutions across the country as well, which businesses can go directly into to get financial support. Businesses can absolutely be in touch with the regional development agency in Quebec to get that support.</p></div>107265022020-04-23T12:05:31-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10726502
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We're working very hard, because we understand how urgent the situation is for Canadian businesses. But I would say that there are many measures that are absolutely available to Canadian small businesses. Going into your financial institution to get access to the small business loan is already there.</p><p style="">The Canada emergency wage subsidy calculator was launched yesterday, to help businesses calculate the wage subsidy support for their employees, and the portal will be open on Monday. For entrepreneurs or sole proprietors who are seeing their income completely decreased, if they're making just a little less than $1,000, the Canada emergency response benefit is already open. </p><p style="">There are many measures that are already available to help our Canadian businesses through this very difficult time. We understand that we need to continue doing the work, and I appreciate your advocacy for them. We will continue to do this work for our Canadian small businesses.</p></div>107265062020-04-23T12:08:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10726506
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Mr. Johns, thank you so very much. I appreciate this very much. Indeed, I need to thank you for your work, because you and I have spoken throughout this time of COVID-19, so I really do appreciate your input. This is really a team Canada approach, so I appreciate that.</p><p style="">As someone who grew up, as a young person, in the restaurant business, I understand how important and how valuable they are—</p></div>107265082020-04-23T12:09:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10726508
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We're working really hard at that. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, we're all working hard to make sure that, with the provinces and the territories, we're able to come up with that support for our Canadian businesses as fast as we can. I understand the urgency. I really do.</p></div>107265102020-04-23T12:10:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10726510
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We've said right from the beginning that we will always listen to businesses to make sure we are getting the support out to them. I really appreciate what you have shared.</p><p style="">I would also say that the work isn't done. We are going to continue to do this work intently to help support businesses just like the one you described.</p><p style="">I really want to thank you for your work.</p></div>107265122020-04-23T12:12:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10726512
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">As I said right from the get-go, our work isn't done. We continue to hear from businesses and will continue to take input from businesses. </p><p style="">I am going to keep working hard, and the government is going to keep working hard, to make sure that we are supporting the incredible businesses and entrepreneurs who are contributors to—</p></div>107265142020-04-23T12:13:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:13)?PubType=40017&Item=10726514
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">We have provided extraordinary support to indigenous-led businesses through the AFIs and through organizations like NACCA. My colleague Mr. Miller has been working on this, and we've been working together to make sure that support absolutely goes to these incredible indigenous-led and indigenous-owned businesses. I would be happy to follow up on that business in particular.</p><p style="">We have put out significant support because we want to see those businesses weather this period—</p></div>107265232020-04-23T12:16:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:16)?PubType=40017&Item=10726523
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you very much for that information, MP Gray. </p><p style="">I'm happy to listen to the concerns of those businesses. In particular, I have to admit that this is the first time I've heard of that particular scenario. I'm happy to do a follow-up after this.</p></div>107265252020-04-23T12:17:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10726525
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> We've provided many measures to help Canadian small businesses. As I said a little earlier, we've seen about 380,000 small business owners take advantage of the small business loan. These numbers are just coming in, and this is on the cusp of expanding the criteria to $20,000. Many businesses are absolutely being supported through this measure. </p><p style="">As I said, the work isn't done. We're going to have to continue to work with many more businesses. We certainly don't want to see people fall behind. </p></div>107265272020-04-23T12:18:08-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:18)?PubType=40017&Item=10726527
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">As I said a little earlier, right now we are all working together to plank the curve. We are all working together to keep Canadians safe. Through the measures we are putting out, we are helping businesses keep their staff. We are helping businesses manage their cash flow through this period. We're going to keep listening to businesses. They contributed to how we are providing the solutions and these emergency measures for them. We're also going to listen to them to make sure that we get them on a good footing in preparation for a restart.</p></div>107265292020-04-23T12:19:16-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:19)?PubType=40017&Item=10726529
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Absolutely. My colleague the health minister works regularly with her international partners, as does the chief medical officer of health, who was part of the World Health Organization's advisory team, and we are looking at practices. We are also making sure that, across all regions in Canada, job number one is to make sure that we are stopping the spread of COVID-19, while supporting businesses during this time so they have the best possible opportunity to restart.</p></div>107265312020-04-23T12:20:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10726531
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">With respect to studying other models, I think that question is better put to my colleague the health minister and the chief medical officer of health. Of course, we are working as a whole-of-government approach, and our focus has absolutely been on making sure that our businesses right now are supported through this very difficult time so we can help them be fine for that recovery when it is safe to do so.</p></div>107265332020-04-23T12:21:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:21)?PubType=40017&Item=10726533
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> I think that testing question is best suited for my colleague, the health minister. </p></div>107265362020-04-23T12:22:34-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:22)?PubType=40017&Item=10726536
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Thank you very much for that question. </p><p style="">Absolutely. This is an unprecedented circumstance, and it is very difficult on so many people across the country. I have personally talked to many, and my teams have talked to many—into the thousands. There is no question that this is absolutely hard. Everything we are doing is to try to help them weather this unprecedented time.</p><p style=""> I would also reference a quote from the president of the Business Council of Canada, whose president represents many Canadian businesses. He says, “Moving too quickly risks a resurgence of the virus, setting back the health of Canadians and the economic recovery.”</p><p style="">We're guided by science and medical advice. Job one here is to stop and slow the spread of this disease. In doing so, we need to support our businesses. We need to support the smallest of our businesses, those entrepreneurs who have spent their lives creating that opportunity. As an immigrant myself, who came to this country and grew up in exactly one of those businesses, I understand not only how hard it is but also that this hard work is your life's work.</p><p style="">So, what are we trying to do? We're trying to save jobs and businesses. We're trying to help Canadians through this, and we're helping. What we need to do is take the advice to make sure we're doing it in a way that keeps Canadians safe and continues to keep Canadians safe. </p></div>107265382020-04-23T12:24:45-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:24)?PubType=40017&Item=10726538
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">Absolutely. When we heard at the very beginning that the wage subsidy, for example, was not covering companies that are starting up but also have employees, we changed that. The revenue reduction threshold was not something they could show, comparing this year to last year, because they're new. They can now use January-February as the baseline for this year. That's for newer businesses, but those innovative, high-growth start-up businesses also need our support. </p><p style="">Just a few days ago, the Prime Minister announced that we are helping those high-growth, innovative start-up businesses to get the support they need to weather this period through the industrial research assistance program. It's a $270-million program. A component of that also goes to young entrepreneurs, because we know that those very young entrepreneurs are also part of those innovative businesses. </p></div>107265402020-04-23T12:26:18-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10726540
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style=""> You have my commitment to look into that. Thank you.</p></div>107265422020-04-23T12:26:35-04:00
Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - 2020-04-23Committee Evidence - INDU-9 - Hon. Mary Ng (2020-04-23 12:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10726542
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/NgMary_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Mary Ng</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Markham—Thornhill, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/96352<p style="">I am told by my team that I must get on to the next commitment. I apologize for that.</p><p style="">Madam Chair, I want to thank you and all the members on the committee. How wonderful it is to be back at INDU. Before being the minister, I served on INDU. I actually served with a number of people here on the committee. It's really nice being back at INDU and talking to all of my colleagues. </p><p style="">Thank you so much.</p></div>107235962020-04-21T11:15:21-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10723596
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Thank you, Madam Chair. It's an honour to be here this morning.</p><p style=""> I want to say good morning to all the members of the committee, and thank you for the invitation. </p><p style="">Good morning, everyone. I'm happy to be here. </p><p style="">Your committee has been given a very important and challenging mandate further to the motion adopted by the House on April 11. Specifically, you have been asked to study ways in which members can fulfill their parliamentary duties while the House stands adjourned on account of the public health concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the temporary modification of certain procedures, sittings in alternate locations and technological solutions, including a virtual Parliament. </p><p style="">The House of Commons and its members play an essential role both in advancing legislation and in holding the government accountable. Given the importance of this role, which is simply the cornerstone of our democracy, collaboration among members and parties has enabled parliamentarians to continue to perform their duties on behalf of Canadians during this pandemic.</p><p style="">Since the House adjourned on March 13 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been recalled twice and it sat again yesterday to deal with some of the effects of this unprecedented situation. The House of Commons has also authorized certain standing committees to hold virtual meetings to ensure that Canadians receive the information that they need and that the executive remains accountable for its actions.</p><p style="">As this crisis persists, with devastating consequences for the livelihoods and personal lives of Canadians, members are being called upon to play a role while adapting to the current context by finding new ways to fulfill their parliamentary duties. Several standing committees have held public meetings by teleconference or video conference, and the House has met a few times with a reduced number of members in attendance, observing public health guidelines for social distancing and avoiding unnecessary travel. </p><p style="">While this approach has worked to advance support to Canadians and granted the government the necessary authority and powers to respond to the pandemic, it does present considerable challenges to all members to fully participate in the proper exercise of their representative role.</p><p style="">As Speaker and as a member, I am keenly aware of the impacts this pandemic is having on individual members and of how it's affecting our ability to perform our duties as we would wish.</p><p style="">Not surprisingly, others have had the same concerns, so you have been given the mandate to study the possibility of virtual sittings of the House of Commons, and even of sitting in alternate locations. The creation yesterday of a special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic will provide another mechanism to ensure that parliamentary oversight is maintained.</p><p style="">I'm listing the options that we're currently exploring because, despite this exceptional situation, I'm confident that the House will adapt and rise to the challenge. That said, we must recognize that a House sitting that includes the remote participation of members or a completely virtual sitting can't entirely reproduce the practice or traditions that Canadians are accustomed to seeing when they follow the proceedings of the House.</p><p style="">To this end, as you consider various options for House sittings adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, I suggest that you bear in mind the following guiding principles, in addition to any that the committee might identify.</p><p style=""> First, any model must uphold the rights, immunities and privileges of the House and its members.</p><p style="">Second, simultaneous interpretation, both in French and English, must be available to members. Members should also continue to have access to established processes for the interpretation of indigenous languages. </p><p style="">Third, all members must be able to participate, recognizing that connectivity can vary in constituencies. Because of the range of services available in different regions, and the varying security requirements and capabilities, it will be important for each member to take the time to work with the House administration to ensure the best possible outcome.</p><p style="">Fourth, any changes to the House's rules and practices should be made in a manner that ensures that the legal validity of the proceedings continues. The Clerk and the law clerk will be your next witnesses and are prepared to advise the committee, among other things, on the interpretation of section 48 of the Constitution Act of 1867, which deals with quorum.</p><p style="">Fifth, the solution should limit the changes to the rules and practices of our House to what is temporarily required for its implementation. Our rules and practices would undoubtedly need some adjustment. For example, it would not be practical for members participating remotely to rise in their places to be recognized to speak. Other long-standing practices that uphold the dignity of the House—for example, addressing remarks through the Chair, insisting the proceedings be conducted in a respectful manner and maintaining the rule that members wishing to speak wear business attire—can and should continue to inform how the House conducts its business, even though it's by virtual means. I have watched a few of the recent video conferences, including the one this morning, and could not help but notice that some members were, let’s just say, bending the dress code a little. </p><p style="">Sixth, the video of the proceedings of the House should be accessible, include French and English closed captioning, be available live and on demand through ParlVu, and continue to be disseminated to media organizations for rebroadcast and to CPAC for distribution to viewers across Canada.</p><p style="">With these guiding principles in mind, the committee may wish to consider additional factors that might help ensure the success of possible virtual sittings during the pandemic.</p><p style="">First, I wish to recognize the work of the employees of the House administration, who achieved so much in such a short time. The recent virtual and video conference committee meetings were an undertaking of a different order of magnitude from their daily responsibilities. Despite the considerable challenges posed by physical distancing orders, and various other concerns and anxieties, they worked hard so that these critical meetings could take place swiftly and effectively.</p><p style=""> In the current pandemic, while the House administration and its partners are operating without a full workforce, they are committed to providing all necessary on-site operational support needed for the House, its committees and members in a way that secures the health and safety of all those employees whose dedication makes our parliamentary work possible. I believe it is important that we as members recognize that this is a reality and acknowledge that not everything is possible during this pandemic.</p><p style=""> I say this even as the list of standing committees authorized to meet increases. The capacity of the administration and its partners is finite. These committees will not be able to meet all at the same time if a virtual sitting of the House is also taking place. It will be necessary to establish priorities. Accordingly, I have instructed the administration to provide the whips with a weekly schedule, founded on current capacity constraints, so that they can decide what they wish to see delivered. The administration will provide robust support to members through training, guidelines and testing, as well as assistance before, during and after their interventions in any virtual proceedings. I will ask that you continue to make yourselves available, be patient and allow time to resolve the difficulties that will occur as a natural part of this innovation of virtual sittings.</p><p style=""> Further, during our deliberations I would refer you to my response of April 8 to a letter from the government House leader that I received on April 5, seeking advice with respect to virtual sittings of the House of Commons. As I stated in my reply, I have asked the administration to propose an approach that would allow for virtual sittings of the House within four weeks. This ongoing work by the administration involves experts from digital services, real property and procedural services, working in partnership with our public and private sector partners, with the goal of enabling the House to hold virtual sittings. The administration continues to consult other parliaments to learn from the technological changes they are making during the pandemic, as well as national and international security partners and experts in virtual collaboration.</p><p style="">As you weigh the various options, ranging from sittings held in alternate locations to hybrid or entirely virtual sittings, we, as members, must make certain that any approach allows the proceedings of the House to be carried out with the integrity and dignity that all members and all Canadians expect of their Parliament. We also have a responsibility with respect to order and decorum.</p><p style="">Having witnessed for some years now the extent of the on-site operational support needed prior to, during and following sittings of the House, I can only imagine the challenges and delays that sittings outside our nation’s capital would bring as we wait to resume our parliamentary duties.</p><p style="">Entirely virtual sittings also represent a significant change that would multiply the practical, procedural and technical challenges to overcome. To support any sittings in a manner that meets the existing accessibility requirements, we should continue to leverage the same physical spaces, technology infrastructure and human resources used for physical meetings on Parliament Hill.</p><p style=""> The House's implementation of virtual committee meetings offers a prime example of the benefits of an incremental approach to delivering new solutions in support of parliamentary work. Taking a similar approach to virtual House sittings will allow the administration to offer the best possible service to every member, ensuring that each is able to make full, informed and effective use of remote participation tools and processes. </p><p style="">The largest challenge facing members is that a majority of the 338 members are now in separate locations far away from each other. An incremental approach should therefore consider the proceedings that better lend themselves to this reality, for example, as has been suggested, members' statements and ministerial statements. Based on that experience, the House could then expand the types of procedures covered in a virtual sitting to more closely resemble a typical sitting of the House, so as to effectively engage the full participation of members. </p><p style="">This could, in time, extend as far as remote voting through a secure technology, should circumstances require it and the House approve it. Any early indication that you can provide to the House administration as to particular options that you feel best respond to the needs of the House will help prioritize the issues at hand. To assist the committee, representatives from the House administration, in collaboration with our partners, stand ready to provide support and advice on how to meet your requirements.</p><p style="">In summary, we want to proceed as quickly as we can, keeping in mind the principles and other considerations I have mentioned, which I hope your committee will take into account. The earlier you can provide direction as to the options you would like to pursue, the quicker and more efficiently our staff will be able to provide a solution for the benefit for all members and the Canadians we serve. </p><p style="">With that, the Clerk and I would be pleased to answer any questions you would have.</p><p style="">Thank you.</p></div>107235182020-04-21T11:35:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:35)?PubType=40017&Item=10723518
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I consulted with administration to see what they were capable of, and they were very strong. They have a good team in place. They figured that the middle of May was feasible, and it is something that could work out very well—and I say “could”. All things being perfect, we'll have everything running smoothly, but as you saw in setting up this morning, there were some technicalities in making sure everything would run smoothly.</p><p style="">One of the big issues of concern, as you mentioned, is that not all MPs or all ridings are treated equally when it comes to Internet connectivity. That is a concern for the rural ridings especially, where connectivity could be a problem. That's where we start looking at issues. Let me deal with the two easy ones first.</p><p style="">One is interpretation, and it is coming together and shouldn't be a problem. Every member across the country should be able to have proceedings transmitted in French or English, their choice, or if they want to—</p></div>107235202020-04-21T11:36:50-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:36)?PubType=40017&Item=10723520
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">No, and I was just going to touch on rights and privilege. By not having the connectivity or by having any issues, that could be an issue down the road. That is something we're looking at.</p><p style="">I'll let you get on to the next question. Go ahead.</p></div>107235222020-04-21T11:37:15-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:37)?PubType=40017&Item=10723522
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">It might be an issue, a multi-faceted one, for the connectivity. As we mentioned, some areas don't have the connectivity. Some of our MPs are not tech savvy. They're not hooked up, and getting them on board might be a little more difficult. It's a small minority, but they have the same rights as everyone else and that has to be respected.</p></div>107235242020-04-21T11:39:04-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:39)?PubType=40017&Item=10723524
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> Overall, when we look at what's been going on now, all of us have been working from home or from another location. Many of my meetings have taken place by either video conferencing or teleconferencing. Most of them overall have been going fairly well. </p><p style="">You referred to one meeting of the Board of Internal Economy. When we did hook up, there were some definite problems there. What ended up happening? We finally figured out what it was, and that was the administration again. We have some very competent technical people who figured out what the problem was. It was one of the lines on the floor. If you were listening to the meeting through the floor feed, there was a problem. If you had it in French or English only, it was working fine. That was a technical issue, and that does pop up occasionally, but it has been taken care of.</p><p style="">Unfortunately, sometimes if you have an urgent meeting, you really don't have the time to fix it. There were some concerns there.</p><p style="">Overall, I have a lot of confidence in the staff here and that they'll figure out an issue, but like anything else, once you have one thing solved there will be something else. That happens in live presentations as well.</p></div>107235282020-04-21T11:44:47-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:44)?PubType=40017&Item=10723528
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> There's a list: No touring, no committee travel, no meetings in person and staying six feet apart. There's a whole list of different.... I don't have the list. It's fairly straightforward, and I think you summed it up very well. One of the big things that is very important is that we be careful. You summed up what we have to do and how we have to prevent it.</p><p style="">I'm just going to defer to the Clerk. </p><p style="">Mr. Richards, you were asking why the Clerk was here. He'll have the list and then I'll come back again.</p><p style="">Mr. Clerk.</p></div>107235312020-04-21T11:46:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10723531
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, they were.</p></div>107235332020-04-21T11:46:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10723533
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Where possible they should be working from home. We do have some essential services on the Hill, support to MPs and to the Hill. When we look at security services, there's a certain number. It's been reduced, but it's still there and providing security to members on the Hill.</p></div>107235352020-04-21T11:46:53-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:46)?PubType=40017&Item=10723535
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I will defer to the Clerk on that one.</p></div>107235412020-04-21T11:48:38-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:48)?PubType=40017&Item=10723541
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Committee meetings are different from meetings in the House. However, a decision must be made in this area. Right now, you're responsible for suggesting changes. You may suggest this change, or you may find that it's not something essential. You're responsible for making recommendations, and the House will make a decision. I serve the House and the decision will be respected. </p></div>107235432020-04-21T11:49:39-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:49)?PubType=40017&Item=10723543
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Indeed, we must do much the same thing that we do in the House. In this video conference, we have the power to mute the microphone of a person speaking. This is one approach, and it isn't perfect. We need rules to ensure that the chair of the meeting has the power to mute the microphone of a person who fails to respect another person's right to speak.</p></div>107235452020-04-21T11:50:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:50)?PubType=40017&Item=10723545
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">One of the main issues is the limited number of committees that can sit. Two committees can sit per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If more than six committees meet per week, it becomes an issue. Not only is it difficult, but we don't have the necessary resources. Normally, we need a smaller number of people to hold a meeting. However, it takes almost twice that number to make sure that everything runs smoothly.</p><p style="">As we can see today, things are going very well. However, we needed an hour to prepare for the meeting, and that was only with the members. It's a great deal of work. We need many resources to ensure that the committees can sit. Given the number of committees on the Hill, it would be almost impossible, without having an army of technically savvy individuals, to ensure that everything runs properly.</p></div>107235472020-04-21T11:52:02-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10723547
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I'm entirely sure that the whips will have a discussion and, hopefully, come up with a solution.</p><p style="">From a technical perspective, we do indeed have an issue. This isn't only about the extra hours required, but also about finding the people who can work them. Our administration will probably be better able to address this later. The technical staff can tell you the number of people needed to ensure that we have all the necessary resources to run all the committees.</p></div>107235492020-04-21T11:52:52-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:52)?PubType=40017&Item=10723549
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Anything is possible. You, as committee members, need to make a decision, which must lead to a recommendation. I'm open to suggestions from the House. Once the House has made a decision, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the staff will then be responsible for implementing it. It isn't always easy and it isn't always possible, but we'll do our best.</p></div>107235512020-04-21T11:53:43-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10723551
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">First, I want to clarify something. This won't be a sitting of the House, but a meeting of the special committee on COVID-19. The committee will decide how the meeting will proceed. The goal is to provide information to Canadians so that they understand the situation. Transparency is our priority.</p><p style="">I gather that the opposition parties want to ensure that the government explains the situation. It's a quasi-parliamentary function. However, as I said, the committee will run in the same manner as the House.</p></div>107235532020-04-21T11:53:48-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:53)?PubType=40017&Item=10723553
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">It will mainly be technology. All participants must be able to ask their questions. However, there's also the privilege issue. We must ensure that everyone's included. A committee is an extension of the House. If it were a virtual Parliament, everyone would have the right to be there.</p></div>107235562020-04-21T11:55:56-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:55)?PubType=40017&Item=10723556
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> Basically, I've left it with the Clerk and discussed it with the administration to see what we're capable of, leaving it mainly with the IT department to check into what can be done. It's very favourable on that end, their looking at it and saying, “Okay, four weeks was a reasonable amount of time to come up with a solution.”</p><p style="">Is it going to be perfect? As I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure and neither is the administration, but we can have something that will be functional.</p><p style="">One of the areas, as far as the Clerk and the administration go, is the Standing Orders and how we continue to respect the individual members' privilege and rights under section 48 and the Standing Orders. We want to make sure of what exactly is implied or expected for a quorum and what is expected for the rules. One of the things that have come up, and is going to be a challenge, is that in order to make changes and have the Standing Orders rearranged or done differently, we have to have everyone present at one time—or whoever wants to be—in Parliament. That's something that I'm not sure how to deal with at this point. We are exploring the possibilities. However, when you look at parliamentary privilege, it is the individuals' having the right to at least vote or take part in discussions that are going on in Parliament to change the existing Standing Orders. We can't just arbitrarily say, “We're going to make those changes,” and that's all there is to it. We have certain procedures that we have to follow. That's going to be one of the biggest challenges.</p><p style="">Everything has been opened, as far as the information that we have. There's nothing that is being kept.... It's open to members upon their request. A lot of it has been put out there as well.</p></div>107235582020-04-21T11:59:11-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10723558
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">As far as connectivity goes, that is one of the major discussions that is taking place when we're looking at a virtual sitting. The administration, as well as MPs, is concerned about that. Connectivity, especially if you're from a rural riding, really affects how much participation you might have as a member of Parliament. That is one of the key ones.</p><p style="">As far as individual members go, what the administration has been doing is spending time with each member. I notice that you have a headset. I don't know if that was sent to you or whether you had it yourself.</p></div>107235602020-04-21T11:59:55-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10723560
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Okay, great.</p></div>107235622020-04-21T11:59:57-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 11:59)?PubType=40017&Item=10723562
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">What has happened with a lot of members is that the administration has sat down with them and gone through it, checking their equipment to make sure that everything is working and that everything goes smoothly when these meetings take place. This is something that is being considered very closely and very seriously.</p><p style="">With regard to the power outage, I'm not sure what to tell you on that one. That's something that's very local, but it is very much an issue.</p><p style="">One of the other issues that have come up is that the staff have been checking in with members, making sure that everything runs smoothly. Then, lo and behold, the members can't make it to the places where they have their equipment, so they're on a phone or an iPad or some other device, and suddenly everything gets changed. I'm not sure about the control of that, but those are some of the variables that also have to be considered when an individual member is attending a meeting. It's in the training and the time spent with the IT staff and the members, making sure that they're up to par.</p></div>107235652020-04-21T12:01:22-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:01)?PubType=40017&Item=10723565
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That is an issue.</p></div>107235722020-04-21T12:05:37-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10723572
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I was asked to look into it, and that's exactly what we're doing. I was not instructed.</p></div>107235742020-04-21T12:05:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:05)?PubType=40017&Item=10723574
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">That was in the letter from the government House leader.</p></div>107235782020-04-21T12:07:00-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:07)?PubType=40017&Item=10723578
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I would have no problem with that.</p></div>107235832020-04-21T12:08:46-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:08)?PubType=40017&Item=10723583
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">It is the responsibility of the individual members of Parliament to make sure that their staff are safe.</p></div>107235852020-04-21T12:09:01-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10723585
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Exactly.</p></div>107235872020-04-21T12:09:17-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:09)?PubType=40017&Item=10723587
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I'll have to defer to the Clerk on that one. I'm not sure. </p><p style="">Do we have a number?</p></div>107235902020-04-21T12:10:13-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:10)?PubType=40017&Item=10723590
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">We've laid out guidelines for certain buildings that are not essential, and we've asked members of Parliament to not have their staff come in unless they come in through appointments or make sure that they're covered, just to make sure that everything is sanitary. We found that there were some MPs who had some staff coming in, and they would come in for a few hours and it was spotty. We didn't know where they were. We were trying to keep records and then send in cleaning staff to make sure that everything was sanitized, once they were done, to avoid the spread of the virus.</p><p style="">What ended up happening was that we asked that certain buildings be shut down and that Centre Block and only essential buildings be open, Centre Block being an essential building.</p></div>107236042020-04-21T12:11:30-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10723604
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> Where possible, staff are instructed to work from home. There are staff members who have to come in because it is essential that they be on the Hill. Among the prime groups are security staff and cleaning staff and some of the top administration. Lately, with some of the work that's being done on the technical side, there are people on the IT end of things as well.</p></div>107236062020-04-21T12:12:07-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10723606
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Yes, that's correct.</p></div>107236082020-04-21T12:12:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10723608
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I would have to be, yes. When people from all over come to one place, yes, they're bringing we don't know what, whether it's picked up on the plane or from their own place of residence. Yes, it certainly is a concern that has to be taken into consideration.</p></div>107236112020-04-21T12:12:54-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:12)?PubType=40017&Item=10723611
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Certainly.</p></div>107236142020-04-21T12:13:40-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:13)?PubType=40017&Item=10723614
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Voting is something that I don't see happening in the near future. That's something that requires some technology that personally I'm not yet comfortable with. What we'd have to do is develop a secure system that guarantees that everyone can vote and everyone can vote securely. </p><p style="">What I do have a concern about, when you have a few speaking for others, is parliamentary privilege. We've seen it in other parliaments around the world, where there's almost a proportional system whereby one party will vote a certain way and the party has a representative who represents all of their members, and that's—</p></div>107236162020-04-21T12:14:33-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:14)?PubType=40017&Item=10723616
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Exactly. If that's what Parliament decides, it is the members who would have to decide on something like that. That's something that is not in our rules or the Standing Orders right now. Allowing individuals to vote is the heart of our system, and it's the base of parliamentary privilege.</p></div>107236182020-04-21T12:15:59-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:15)?PubType=40017&Item=10723618
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">The proceedings of Parliament are open to all Canadians, and what is fed into CPAC is actually run by our IT department. The feed that they provide for them—all the work, the heavy lifting—is done by our IT department, and our IT people are very capable of doing so. I believe transparency and openness are certainly very important to all Canadians, so I can see it being something that we want to continue.</p></div>107236202020-04-21T12:17:20-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:17)?PubType=40017&Item=10723620
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> That's an evolving discussion. We're looking at what Health Canada has to offer and what experts have to offer. We're looking at making the best decisions possible for everyone's safety.</p><p style="">As for looking down the road, it really is uncharted territory. I wish I could give you a definite date for when all of this will stop and go away. It is just continuing.</p><p style="">This is a good opportunity for us to look at what we're doing, our process, and our Standing Orders, and to look at special conditions. This is an opportunity to make changes so we can be prepared for future events as they come up. This is obviously not the last time we're going to go through something like this. </p><p style="">I would encourage the committee to prepare for different scenarios, to look at the possibilities down the road and look at what might be the possible triggers to get those new alternatives in place so that if we do come across something like this again, we would have, as a Parliament, the opportunity to trigger a certain number of things or a certain way of doing things and move in that direction.</p></div>107236252020-04-21T12:20:25-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:20)?PubType=40017&Item=10723625
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">I have to base my answer on the information I am getting now. The information I am getting is that the less the possible contact or the physical proximity, the better.</p><p style="">Is there an absolute yes or no? I don't believe so, because we do have essential services, and essential services are taking the necessary precautions, whether in a hospital or in certain areas that have been designated, mainly on a provincial level. </p><p style="">As for whether or not our presence in Ottawa is a good thing, that depends. I don't think there's an absolute yes or no, but just taking into consideration travel and contact with others, it is something to worry about.</p><p style="">Just to touch on something else you mentioned, I talked about looking at different options. With regard to how we do things in Ottawa, I would like to suggest that changing the way we do things and changing the Standing Orders deserves more extensive study, and I would recommend to the committee that perhaps this is something they should continue to do. Once this is over and they have reported, they should continue looking at different options that would keep Parliament running if something like this or something worse should happen again, and look at all of the worst-case scenarios.</p><p style="">I'm sorry for taking some of that time, Mr. Turnbull.</p></div>107236272020-04-21T12:23:06-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:23)?PubType=40017&Item=10723627
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style=""> Yes. There are limited resources. It's something that's more of a technical barrier than anything else, at this point. I honestly believe that what we have to do is grow incrementally, starting off with certain areas that we know shouldn't be a problem. Some of those include Statements by Members, or S. O. 31s, and situations in which members are questioning each other, as in the committee we have set up for next week, where information sharing is one of the big things. As soon as we get into something a bit more technical, like voting, we want to make sure that the vote is not interrupted and works out well. That's where I can see us growing on a gradual basis. </p><p style="">This might be a question that might be best answered by our technical people in the second part of this committee meeting.</p></div>107236422020-04-21T12:26:42-04:00
Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - 2020-04-21Committee Evidence - PROC-10 - Hon. Anthony Rota (2020-04-21 12:26)?PubType=40017&Item=10723642
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/RotaAnthony_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Anthony Rota</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/25452<p style="">Everything is taken into consideration. Unfortunately, we do have standing orders that we have to work with. Those are the rules that we have within the House. If we disregard them, then it's an infringement of our rules within the House. In order to change those, one of the hard parts is that we would have to bring everyone to Ottawa to vote on those changes. It really does handicap us and make it difficult.</p></div>107212112020-04-16T18:11:29-04:00
Committee Evidence - FINA-19 - 2020-04-16Committee Evidence - FINA-19 - Hon. Bill Morneau (2020-04-16 18:11)?PubType=40017&Item=10721211
<div style="float:left;display:inline-block;padding-right:0.5em;"><img width="50" src="//www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Parliamentarians/Images/OfficialMPPhotos/43/MorneauBill_Lib.jpg"></div><div><div style="font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;">Hon. Bill Morneau</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Toronto Centre, Ontario</div><div style="font-size:1em;">Liberal Caucus</div><div style="font-size:1em;"></div></div><div style="clear:both;">//www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members/88992<p style="">Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.</p><p style="">I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the committee for having me here. I'd also like to thank the members of the Standing Committee on Finance for the work they're doing. </p><p style="">We obviously know that COVID-19 is causing unprecedented disruption to the economy here at home and around the world. None of us has faced a crisis like this. Our government knows that Canadian workers and businesses have been through a tough time already and that this difficult period is continuing. That's why we're moving rapidly to help as many Canadians as possible, as quickly as possible. We're creating, developing, adapting and delivering measures in record time. </p><p style="">Today my goal is to highlight some of the measures we've announced recently, including enhancements to programs in anticipation of your questions. </p><p style="">Earlier this month when I met with you, I talked about the Canada emergency response benefit, which provides $2,000 every four weeks for up to 16 weeks to workers who lose their income as a result of the pandemic. What we've seen over the last week is that millions of Canadians have successfully applied to the program and received payments. We want this benefit to be as flexible and accessible as possible. That's why, for example, it's available to workers whether or not they have employment insurance. No one should have to choose between protecting their health, putting food on the table, paying for their medication or caring for a family member.</p><p style="">Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced new measures to expand the eligibility criteria for the Canada emergency response benefit. Workers can earn up to $1,000 a month while receiving the benefit. This includes wages along with fees and royalties.</p><p style="">The Canada emergency response benefit will also be available to people who were unemployed prior to the pandemic, who ran out of employment insurance benefits, and who can't find work because of COVID-19. Seasonal workers who can't work in their field because of the pandemic will also be eligible.</p><p style="">The Canada emergency response benefit is an important part of the government's COVID-19 economic response plan to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. We also need to recognize that the pandemic has placed a significant amount of stress on certain workers. </p><p style="">Take those working in hospitals or nursing homes as examples, or the people who are ensuring the integrity of our food supply and those providing essential retail services to Canadians. The work these people are doing is essential. However, their salaries are sometimes less than what they'd receive from the Canada emergency response benefit. We want to boost the salaries of these essential workers. We're working with provinces and territories to offer a cost-shared, temporary top-up to the salaries of all low-income workers deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19.</p><p style="">Through this new transfer, provinces and territories will be able to provide a salary top-up every four weeks to the essential worker who earns less than $2,500 per month. The Government of Canada will cover a portion of the cost of the top-up and will provide an important boost to the front-line workers in our hospitals and long-term care homes, those working to make sure our groceries are well stocked, and others. </p><p style="">As announced yesterday, the federal government will share the cost of the programs to retain essential workers that were already in place in Quebec and British Columbia. The government is also providing support to employers through its COVID-19 economic response plan. </p><p style="">As you know, the Canada emergency wage subsidy covers 75% of employees' wages up to a maximum benefit of $847 per week